98801 PARA 0110: Introduction to Paralegal Studies – 1 Trimester – ISU 11 12

Prerequisite: Business Law & Ethics
Co-requisite: PARA 0111: Ethics and Professionalism

The legal system and the paralegal's role in it; fundamental paralegal skills and tasks; law office administration; computer technology; regulation of paralegals and paralegal ethics; and employment opportunities. A survey of the major substantive areas of the law is presented, with a summary discussion of the paralegal's role in each area.
 

98802 PARA 0111: Ethics and Professionalism – 1 Trimester – ISU 11 12

Co-requisite: PARA 0110: Introduction to Paralegal Studies

Ethical standards and regulations governing paralegals and attorneys. Unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality of information, conflict of interest are covered in depth, along with common billing practices and fee arrangements, client trust accounts, filing and calendaring systems, and the documentation of client files.
 

98803 PARA 0113: Contract Law – 1 Trimester – ISU 11 12

Co-requisite: PARA 0116: Tort Law

Basic principles of contract law, including capacity, formation, conditions, enforcement, statute of frauds, performance and breach, remedies, defenses, and third-party rights. Portions of Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code will also be addressed. Emphasizes the role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting contract documents.
 

98804 PARA 0114: Family Law – 1 Trimester – ISU 11 12

This course instructs students in the law governing marriage, prenuptial agreements, marital property, divorce, child custody and support, paternity, termination of parental rights, adoption, and other matters relating to domestic legal rights. The role of the paralegal in the area of domestic law is emphasized.
 

98805 PARA 0116: Tort Law – 1 Trimester – ISU 11 12

Co-requisite: PARA 0113: Contract Law

The paralegal's role regarding fundamental concepts of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and product liability and the elements necessary to prove each tort. Defenses to and damages recoverable for a tort claim. Personal injury litigation and worker's compensation will be discussed in depth.
 

98806 PARA 0117: Criminal Law and Procedure – 1 Trimester – ISU 12

Co-requisite: PARA 0116: Law Office Technology

Statutory and common law crimes against person, property, and society; the elements required to prove a crime; and the defenses available to a defendant. Constitutional and statutory standards for law enforcement practices, plea negotiation, trial, sentencing, and appeal. Conducting preliminary factual investigation and other pre-trial work.
 

98808 PARA 0119: Law Office Technology – 1 Trimester – ISU 12

Co-requisite: PARA 0117: Criminal Law and Procedure

Students will learn advanced and specialized computer applications specific to the legal services environment, including advanced Word skills, such as creating headings, sections, tables of authorities, indexes, and hyperlinks in legal documents; Excel spreadsheets for the creation of exhibits, charts, and tables; law practice management software including time keeping; records management; accounting; and billing; and other applications for managing, editing, marking, and storing electronic documents.
 

98811 PARA 0122: Legal Research Analysis & Writing I – 1 Trimester – ISU 12

Prerequisite: English 101, Introduction to Paralegal Studies
Co-requisite: PARA 0232: Civil Litigation

Basic elements of legal research and sources of the law using print and electronic research methods. Develop rudimentary skills for analyzing legal issues and developing legal arguments. Introduce basics of legal document preparation such as case briefing, letter writing, and research memoranda drafting. PREREQ: BT 0170 or INFO 1101, ENGL 1101 or ENGL 1101P, and PARA 0110.
 

98814 PARA 0230: Paralegal Internship – 1 Trimester – ISU 12

Students acquire practical experience in doing the job of a paralegal in the workplace. The course is arranged on an individual basis.
 

98815 PARA 0232: Civil Litigation – 1 Trimester – ISU 12

Prerequisite: Tort Law and Legal Research Analysis & Writing I
Co-requisite: PARA 0122: Legal Research Analysis & Writing I

Students perform tasks of a paralegal at every stage of litigation including initial client contact, investigation and identification of claims and issues, legal research, preparation and filing appropriate documents, preparing witnesses, making trial notebooks, giving jury instructions, assisting at trial, making post-judgment motions, and handling appeals and collection. PREREQ: PARA 0116 and PARA 0122.