PLA 3613 – Property Law
Spring 2013 – January 7 – May 4
3 Credits
Instructor Information:
 Kimberly A. Houser, JD
 khouser@uwf.edu
 Course Questions should be posted in the General Forum
Textbook:
Title:
Author:
Publisher:
Edition:
ISBN:
Practical Real Estate Law
Daniel F. Hinkel
Delmar: Cengage Learning
Sixth
978-1-4390-5720-9
Course Description
This course will introduce students to the area of real estate law.
Prerequisite: None
Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Understand the law that governs property.
2. Express a basic understanding of rights in ownership.
3. Communicate basic knowledge of servitudes and restrictions on property use.
4. Understand the elements of a real estate contract.
5. Communicate basic understanding of real estate titles and surveys.
6. Demonstrate an understanding of a real estate closing.
Grading Schedule
Homework Assignments
Discussion Forum
Quizzes (Weeks 3, 6, 9 and 13)
Deed Preparation (Due Week 9)
Participation
Grading Scale
Letter Grade Point Value
A
AB+
B
B-
920-1000
900-919
880-899
820-879
800-819
50 points max per Assignment (7)
20 points max per Discussion (5)
100 points max per Quiz
100 points max
50 points max
TOTAL POINTS
Percentage
Equivalent
92-100%
90-91%
88-89%
82-87%
80-81%
350
100
400
100
50
1000
C+
C
D+
D
F
780-799
700-779
680-699
620-679
0-619
78-79%
70-77%
68-69%
62-67%
0-61%
Grading Policies and Assignment Expectations



Completion: Successful completion of this course includes completion of ALL assignments (including
discussions) as outlined in this syllabus. Grades in ELEARNING are updated within five days after the
completion of each Week.
Discussion Expectations and Assessment: The quantity requirement is 3 posts per Discussion Forum
Assignment. All chapter posts are to be completed by Thursday 11:59 PM of each week. The purpose of
the Discussion Assignment is to indicate your ability to synthesize other perspectives, demonstrate
listening, and contribute to an evolving discussion (the quality portion). It is also important to review the
Discussion Rubric prior to posting.
Rubric for Discussion Posts:
Qualities & Criteria
Assignment
Requirements
Content/Information
Poor - Average
(0-74)
Fails to complete
discussion posts on
time
or completes it
inadequately
The posts provide
adequate detail.
Very Good
(75-86)
Discussion posts
are completed on
time and
adequately address
the question asked.
The posts provide
adequate detail and
address most of the
issues referred in
the proposed topic.
The student
comments on other
posts in a general
manner.
Participation
The student
provides initial post
answering question.
References and use
of references
The post references
the student’s
opinion or guess as
to the answer.
The post cites
examples from the
text or elsewhere
and is based on
sound law and
reasoning.
Quantity
Less than 3 post
and/or does not
respond to all
comments
3 posts or less and
does not respond to
all comments
Excellent
(88-100)
Discussion posts are
completed on time and
correctly address the
question asked.
The posts provide a clear
and complete in-depth
analysis of all the issues
referred in the question.
The student comments on
other posts in a
meaningful way to help
facilitate additional
discussion or
understanding and replies
to comments of his or her
initial post.
The post cites 1 or more
examples from the text or
elsewhere, is based on
sound law and reasoning,
and fully describes where
the information was
obtained.
3 posts plus responses to
all comments on initial
post

Academic Honesty: As we expect of our students, any source you use in your posts and assignments
should be properly cited. More information on academic misconduct is located later in this syllabus and
on the University website.

Due Dates: All Discussion Forum and Assignments must be completed by Thursday at 11:59 of each
week and Quizzes must be completed by Friday at 11:59 PM of the applicable week using the
Respondus Browser. The Quiz on Chapters 12-15 must be completed by Wednesday 4/24 at
11:59PM.

Participation: Participation (10% of your grade)
Class participation is composed of the following elements:
 Completing assignments and quizzes on time;
 Actively participating on the Discussion Board;
 Exhibiting tolerance (not necessarily acceptance) to opposing point of view in class;
 Assisting others with concepts and contributing to the General Forum on the eLearning site;
 Complying with the Netiquette Policy, and
 Demonstrating a professional demeanor when dealing with your Professor and classmates.
Deadlines and Penalties
All assignments must be submitted on or before the due date. Assignments submitted after the deadline will not
be graded.
Students are expected to take exams at the designated time unless prior arrangements have been made or there is
an illness which prevents attendance. An exam may be taken prior to the normal exam time by arrangement
with the instructor. Exams may not be taken late without the instructor’s prior written approval. There will be a
deduction from the grade for any exams which are not taken on or prior to the original exam date, even with
instructor approval to take the exam late. Make-up exams may be different than the one originally
administered. If you miss the final Exam, I will take the lowest score from the previous exams and subtract 10
percentage points for your final exam score. There will be no make-up exam for the final exam. You are
responsible for course material posted on the eLearning site.
Due to the quantity of material to be covered and the number of students typically enrolled in this course,
PowerPoint lectures and outlines will highlight only the most important information. However, for purposes of
testing, you are responsible for all information on the syllabus, in the text, in the course materials posted on
eLearning and in e-mails to your UWF e-mail account. If you have ANY questions about the course, including
problems with deadlines, contact me as soon as the problems arise so that we can attempt to resolve the issue
together in a timely manner. Contacting me an hour before a deadline or after the deadline will not extend the
due date.
 Course Schedule
Week Dates
Chapter Topics
Pre- 1/2-1/6
Introduction to online course
course
1
1/7 – 1/11
Introduction to the Law of Real
Property
2
1/14 – 1/18
Concurrent Ownership
3
1/21 – 1/25
Surveys and Land Descriptions
5
1/21 MLK Day
1/28 – 2/1
Public Regulation and Private
Encumbrances
2/4 – 2/8
Easements and Licenses
6
2/11 – 2/15
7
2/18 – 2/22
8
2/25 – 3/1
9
3/4 – 3/8
12
3/18 – 3/22
13
3/25 – 3/29
14
4/1 – 4/5
15
4/8 – 4/12
4
Assignments
Prior to the first day of class, please review
the Important Course information section and
introduce yourself on the Introduction
Discussion Forum (1/7)
1. Read Chapter 1
2. Ch. 1 Discussion Forum (1/10)
3. Homework Assignment for Ch. 1 (Case
Problems 2, 3, & 4) – submit to dropbox
(1/11)
1. Read Chapter 2
2. Homework Assignment for Ch. 2 (Case
Problems 1 & 2) – submit to dropbox (1/17)
1. Read Chapter 3
2. Complete Quiz for Chapters 1-3 (1/25)
1. Read Chapter 4
2. Ch. 4 Discussion Forum (1/31)
1. Read Chapter 5
2. Homework Assignment for Ch. 5 (Case
Problem 1) – submit to dropbox (2/7)
Contracts
1. Read Chapter 6
2. Homework Assignment Ch. 6 (p. 142 – 143
Case Problems 1 & 3) – submit to dropbox
(2/14)
3. Complete Quiz for Chapters 4-6 (2/15)
Preparation and Review of a Real
1. Read Chapter 7
Estate Contract
2. Homework Assignment for Ch. 7 (P. 182
Practical Assignment 1 a – y) – submit to
dropbox (2/21)
Deeds
1. Read Chapter 8
2. Ch. 8 Discussion Forum (2/28)
Financing Sources in Real Estate
1. Read Chapter 9
Transactions
2. Complete Quiz for Chapters 7-9 (3/8)
SPRING BREAK (3/11 – 3/15)
Title Examinations
1. Read Chapter 12
2. Homework Assignment for Ch. 12 (p. 405
Case Problems 1 & 5) – submit to dropbox
(3/21)
Title Insurance
1. Read Chapter 13
2. Homework Assignment for Ch. 13 (P. 433
Case Problem 3) – submit to dropbox (3/28)
Real Estate Closings
1. Read Chapter 14
2. Ch. 14 Discussion Forum (4/4)
Government Regulation of Real Estate 1. Read Chapter 15
Closings
4/15-4/19
Deed Project
4/22-4/26
Final
1. Review Chapter 5
2. Complete Deed Assignment and submit to
dropbox (4/18)
1. Complete Quiz over Chapters 12-15 and
Cases (by 11:59 PM Wednesday 4/15)
Course Structure / eLearning Tools
Your course is organized through eLearning. Below are the tools in your class, how we will be using them, and
expectations associated with each. Take time to acclimate yourself to the tools and contact me if have
questions.
Button
Description
Course Home News Items: Used to post day-to-day course
details such as the status of and directions for
assignments, discussions and content;
additional information or summaries are
posted as needed; this feature is used instead
of all-class emails so you can find all
information in one location
Schedule: Lists tasks added by instructor;
NOTE: students enrolled in more than one
ELEARNING course will see any tasks
created by any of their instructors.
Library Resources: Links to several library
resources.
File Viewers: Helpful links to free
downloadable viewers.
Content
Syllabus, Course Schedule, Netiquette Policy
Links
Dropbox
Discussions
You Should…
Check the “News Items” regularly, ideally
every time you log-in to the course.
Review the schedule at least every week for
important course dates.
N/A
N/A
Read it, understand it, refer back to these
documents throughout the semester. The
course schedule is embedded in the syllabus.
The syllabus and course schedule are
subject to change.
Modules: These modules contain, at
Check this area at the start of each Week and
minimum, the textbook reading assignments,
check back to the resources and narratives as
course narratives, discussion assignments, and you are completing assignments
any other information needed for the week.
Faculty Information
N/A
Links may be found at the end of the syllabus Check syllabus
Assignments to be given to instructor or from Assignments are due to the dropbox by the due
instructor (if requested) go here. Upload your date indicated on the syllabus.
assignments to this location, as directed;
Download assignments/feedback from your
instructor, as directed
Categorized discussions will be the primary
Check discussion frequently to read and
area for class discussion and collaboration
respond to posts; consult your course syllabus
between instructor and student, and amongst
for specific information about discussion
students
participation requirements. Discussions are due
General
Forum
Ask course questions here.
Classlist
Use this button to send emails, view
homepages and profiles of instructor and/or
students in the course; view shared locker
files
Location for students in small groups to work
together on assigned group projects
Used to release course quizzes, tests, and selfassessments
Groups
Quizzes
Grades
This is the section where instructor will enter
grades and feedback about assignments for
the course
to the DF by the due date indicated on the
syllabus.
Post your course questions here and help your
classmates with answers. Your participation
here counts towards your grade.
Used only when one of the functions are
needed (email, homepage, profile, locker
sharing)
There will be no groups this semester
Click this area when the course schedule
indicates a quiz, test, or self-assessment for the
week
Check this section regularly to review grades
and feedback
General Expectations

Please post all course questions in the General Forum. Questions of a personal nature should be e-mailed
to me. Emails must include enough information for me to provide an answer. The subject line must
include the course you are in and the topic of the email. You should also indicate your name in the body
of the email and comply with netiquette policy. Emails which do not follow these procedures will not be
responded to. In addition, I do not respond to emails during the grading period. If you notice a discrepancy in
your grade, you must notify me PRIOR to the last day of class.

Papers should be in APA or MLA format.

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM central time unless otherwise indicated.

No late assignments or discussion forum posts will be accepted.

No due dates will be on School Holidays.

Please utilize appropriate Netiquette -see http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html

I will respond to properly formatted emails which comply with the Netiquette Policy within 48 hours,
and post grades within 5 days after the week in which the assignments are due (except during the grading period
at the end of the semester).
Getting your Questions Answered
If you have any questions about the course, please submit them to the General Forum on the eLearning site.
Please review the General Forum frequently and answer any questions that you can. You can also email your
questions to my graduate assistant, Wells, at wab14@students.uwf.edu. If you have any concerns of a personal
nature, please contact me via email or during my office hours. My on-campus office hours are: M 3:00 – 6:00
PM, T 10:30 – 1:00 PM, and Th 10:30 – 1:00 PM. I do not generally provide answers via email for items which
can be found in the syllabus or on the eLearning site. In addition, please review the Netiquette policy prior to
sending an email. Please note that I do not answer emails during the grading period due. If you would like to
point out a mistake in your grade, please do send the email, but I will not be able to acknowledge it until after
the grading is complete. At that time, if you still have a question, please do email me.
Withdrawal
Watch your dates and your grades. Drop/Add usually runs through the first week of classes. Check the
academic calendar for the last day to withdraw from this course and receive an automatic W. After that
withdrawal date, a withdrawal from the University is possible and your grade for the course will be WF, if
failing, and W, if passing, at the time of withdrawal. See: http://uwf.edu/registrar/annualcal2012-2013.pdf for
current dates.
Special Technology Utilized by Students
In addition to baseline requirements of e-mail and word processing, students are expected to access
eLearning/D2L and the Internet regularly. You are required to activate and check your UWF e-mail address
regularly in order to receive communications from faculty and staff. If you fail to check your UWF e-mail
account for messages, it may negatively affect your grade. Forwarding your UWF e-mail to another ISP address
will not guarantee that you will receive the messages sent to your UWF e-mail account. Please do not ask me to
re-send e-mail messages.
In addition, students may need one or more of the following plug-ins:
Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
PowerPoint Viewer: http://microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=D1649C22-B51F-4910-93FC4CF2832D3342&displaylang=en
Windows Media Player: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
Quicktime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
Real Player:
http://forms.real.com/netzip/getrde601.html?h=207.188.7.150&f=windows/RealOnePlayerV2GOLD.exe&p=Re
alOne+Player&oem=dl&tagtype=ie&type=dl
Macromedia Flash Player:
http://macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
Class Philosophy
My goal is to assist you in increasing your knowledge and skill levels so that you can apply what you learn to
your professional work. I will act as teacher to facilitate the assimilation of concepts and theories, and as coach
for the accommodation learning that occurs when you apply the concepts and theories.
Assistance
Students with special needs who require course-related accommodations should contact the Student Disability
Resource Center, Building 21, Room 130, at the start of the semester. SDRC will provide the student with a
letter for the instructor that will specify any recommended accommodations. The Student Disability Resource
Center (SDRC) at the University of West Florida supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If
there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full participation, such as timelimited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of non-captioned videos and podcasts, please notify the
instructor or the SDRC as soon as possible. You may contact the SDRC office by e-mail at sdrc@uwf.edu or by
phone at (850) 474-2387. Appropriate academic accommodations will be determined based on the documented
needs of the individual.
You can find more information at: http://www.uwf.edu/sdrc
Expectations for Student Conduct in PLA Courses
Attorneys and paralegals are expected to follow a strict code of professional responsibility. The code dictates
that the highest standards of trust, integrity, and honesty be observed in day-to-day activities. You are expected
to follow those same standards in this class. Your behavior in class should be comparable to that which would
be appropriate in a law office or in court.
Academic dishonesty of any kind, including but not limited to plagiarism, alteration of records, substitution of
another’s work representing it as your own, cheating, lying, or knowingly helping another student to engage in
such conduct will not be tolerated. Do not share your written work in this class with anyone else. All students
are expected to abide by the UWF Honor Code and be sure all other students abide by the same. A student who
is aware of another student’s violation who does not report the other student’s violation is equally accountable.
Do not share your written work with anyone else. It usually takes two to commit plagiarism. Both parties are
guilty and subject to sanctions. Do not share your written work in this class with anyone else, unless you are
jointly working on assignments that are approved for group participation. Please refer to the UWF Student
Handbook for student conduct guidelines and rights of appeal. Students in the Legal Studies Program are
expected to maintain the highest moral and professional standards both now and in their careers; it is only
appropriate to begin applying such strict standards now.
I expect the utmost professionalism from my students. Failure to comply with netiquette police and basic
common courtesy will result in a deduction from your Participation Grade.
University Policy on Academic Conduct
The University of West Florida is dedicated to the highest principles and standards of academic integrity. An
academic violation by a student can negatively impact a class, program and/or college in ways that are unique to
each discipline. . . . Academic integrity is closely related to professional ethics and requires that students
honestly acknowledge their use of the ideas, words, and written work produced by any other individual,
institution or source. Failure to acknowledge properly the use of another’s intellectual output constitutes a form
of academic misconduct. (UWF Academic Misconduct Code, UWF Student Planner and Handbook 2011-2012,
p. 38)
Academic dishonesty is a serious offense and will be taken seriously. Please refer to the UWF Student
handbook for a list of behaviors that fall under the definition of academic misconduct. The handbook also
outlines the penalties for academic misconduct and the due process procedures that must be followed.
All students are expected to abide by the UWF Honor Code and be sure all other students abide by the same. A
student who is aware of another student’s violation who does not report the other student’s violation is equally
accountable. It usually takes two to commit plagiarism. Both parties are guilty and subject to sanctions. Do not
share your written work in this class with anyone else. Please refer to the UWF Student Handbook for
student conduct guidelines and rights of appeal. Students in the Legal Studies Program are expected to maintain
the highest moral and professional standards both now and in their careers; it is only appropriate to begin
applying such strict standards now.
The Student Code of Conduct is posted at the following URL: http://uwf.edu/osrr/
The UWF Academic Misconduct Policy is posted at the following URL:
http://uwf.edu/academic/policies/misconduct/misconduct.cfm
Additional Information on Plagiarism
Your writing is your intellectual property. Guard it carefully. You could find yourself in the unpleasant position
of trying to prove that you are the true author of this work. Save preliminary drafts of your work, reading notes,
data collection sheets, and copies of library sources you make while researching your paper. You may be asked
to produce these if questions of authorship arise. Make back-up copies to protect your work from computer
failures.
I reserve the right to submit written assignments to the Turnitin service or use other methods to evaluate the
originality of the work submitted. I will remove personal identifiers from any electronic files I submit to the
Turnitin database for evaluation.
Plagiarism is a serious violation of academic standards and will be punished severely. Students who plagiarize
will fail the course and will be referred to the Dean for academic dishonesty. Some students are surprised to
learn that they plagiarized themselves when they inappropriately used work produced for one course in another
course. If you are unsure, ask your instructor for guidance. See the UWF Student Planner and Handbook and the
Student Code of Conduct for information about the University policy on academic conduct and plagiarism and
the consequences for students who engage in academic misconduct.
Weather Emergency Information
WUWF-FM (88.1MHz) is the official information source for the university. Any pertinent
information regarding closings, cancellations, and the re-opening of campus will be broadcast.
In the event that hurricane preparation procedures are initiated, the UWF Home Web Page and
MyUWF will both provide current information regarding hurricane preparation procedures, the
status of classes and the closing of the university. See http://uwfemergency.org/