Comprehensive Paralegal Program

Course Name

Comprehensive Paralegal Program

Contact Hours: 144 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Paralegals can assist lawyers in the delivery of many basic services. A paralegal`s general knowledge about the American Legal System and specific knowledge about civil and criminal law can enhance a paralegal`s value in the workplace. This six course bundle of courses will set you up on the right career track. Instructor interaction and 24/7 access to on-line testing materials.

Outcome

See Individual Courses 2802-A,2802-B,2802-C,2802-D,2802-E and 2802-F.

Assessment

See Individual Courses 2802-A,2802-B,2802-C,2802-D,2802-E and 2802-F.

Outline

Individual Course Descriptions

Course Name

Introduction to Law

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Legal systems exist to serve the interests of the citizenry. Laws under such systems can deal with the public and private safety and health of citizenry, the means to resolve problems among parties, certain ownership interests which the law recognizes and protects, and the legal systems of different nations.

For this Basic Completion course, students will contact the instructor who will guide them on all course procedures. Students may query the instructor via e-mail and voice, regarding lessons, readings and interpretation of the materials.

This course is based on an independent study model that allows the student to work through the program in a self-directed manner. Questions and return email communication can be engaged in for clarification and guidance when necessary.


Outcome

After completing this course students will have:

  • learned about the difference between civil and criminal law;
  • studied the procedures used in the operation of the American legal system;
  • examined a diverse range of legal topics, including cyberlaw, insurance, international law and will, trusts and estates;
  • enhanced study skills through the use of open-book quizzes;
  • developed an understanding about how this form of distance education works;
  • explored torts, which involves personal injury law and insurance law;
  • started the process of learning about the law through individual study.

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 12 chapters of material). Completion of each chapter is based on achieving a score of 70% or more on tests provided.

Outline


  • Introduction to Law and Legal Reasoning (Chapter 1); QUIZ
  • Courts and Alternative Dispute Resolution (Chapter 2); QUIZ
  • Court Procedures (Chapter 3); QUIZ
  • Torts and Cyber Torts (Chapter 5); QUIZ
  • Strict Liability and Product Liability (Chapter 6); QUIZ
  • Insurance (Chapter 50); QUIZ
  • Intellectual Property and Internet Law (Chapter 7); QUIZ
  • Criminal Law and Cyber Crimes (Chapter 8); QUIZ
    Wills, Trusts, And Elder Law (Chapter 51); QUIZ
  • Liability of Accountants and Other Professionals (Chapter 52); QUIZ
  • International and Comparative Law (Chapter 523; QUIZ
  • Law for Small Business (Chapter 54); QUIZ

Course Name

Contract Law

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

By creating rules about what constitutes contracts (basic contract law), society describes those agreements that help a society to conduct business. Specialized rules apply to sales and lease contracts.

For this basic completion course, students will contact the instructor who will guide them on all course procedures. Students may query the instructor via e-mail and voice, regarding lessons, readings and interpretation of the materials. 

NOTE: The class is asynchronous. You can begin when you are ready and end upon your completion of the book. 

Outcome

Upon completion of this course, students will:

  • Know what is necessary to create a valid legal contract;
  • Understand how issues regarding any of the elements of a contract can render it voidable;
  • Recognize when third parties receive rights out of such a contract;
  • See the effects of when a contract is completed, or breached; and
  • Discover that different rules apply to sales and lease contracts so that business can move quickly and efficiently.

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 15 chapters of material). Students may query the instructor up to three times, via e-mail, regarding course content. Completion of each chapter is based on achieving a score of 70% or more on tests provided.

Outline

Week 1

(Students using the 8th Edition need to go to the course site for reading assignments)

- Nature and Terminology (Chapter 9); QUIZ
- Agreement (Chapter 10); QUIZ
- Consideration (Chapter 11); QUIZ

Week 2

- Capacity and Legality (Chapter 12); QUIZ
- Genuineness of Assent (Chapter 13); QUIZ

Week 3

- The Statute of Frauds (Chapter 14); QUIZ
- Third Party Rights (Chapter 15); QUIZ

Week 4

- Performance and Discharge (Chapter 16): QUIZ
- Breach of Contract and Remedies (Chapter 17); QUIZ
- E-Contracts (Chapter 18); Quiz

Week 5

- The Formation of Sales and Lease Contracts (Chapter 19); QUIZ
- Title, Risk, and Insurable Interest (Chapter 20): QUIZ

Week 6

- Performance of Sales and Lease Contracts (Chapter 21); Quiz
- Remedies for Breach of Sales and Leases Contracts (Chapter 22); QUIZ
- Sales and Lease Warranties (Chapter 23); QUIZ

Course Name

Business Organizations and the Law

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

By allowing for the creation of different kinds of business organizations, society ensures that different kinds of businesses can exist to meet the different demands of the marketplace. These business organizations may appoint individuals to act on their behalf. They also must abide by certain minimal standards regarding working conditions.

For this Basic Completion course, students will contact the instructor who will guide them on all course procedures. Students may query the instructor via e-mail and voice, regarding lessons, readings and interpretation of the materials.

This course is based on an independent study model that allows the student to work through the program in a self-directed manner. Questions and return email communication can be engaged in for clarification and guidance when necessary.


Outcome

After completing this course, students will have:

  • Learned about the different types of business entities;
  • Determined which business entity works best in what kinds of situations;
  • Seen how to create such business entities;
  • Discover the varied formats of an principle-agent relationship; and
  • Study what federal laws apply to employment situations

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 11 Chapters). Completion of each chapter is based on achieving a score of 70% or more on tests provided.

Outline

BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS

  • Partnerships and Other Business Organizations
  • Sole Propietorships and Franchises
  • Partnerships and Special Business Forms 
Corporations
  • Formation and Financing
  • Directors, Officers and Shareholders 
AGENCY
  • Agency Formation and Duties

LABOR LAW
  • Labor and Employment Law 
  • Employment Discrimination (Chapter 34); QUIZ

Course Name

Property, Regulation and Commercial Paper

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

To allow for the more orderly transfer of legal interests, societies have created laws that describe the different types of interests and how to transfer such interests.

This course focuses on property interests, the impact of government regulations and how to create and use negotiable instruments.
For this Basic Completion course, students will contact the instructor who will guide them on all course procedures. Students may query the instructor via e-mail and voice, regarding lessons, readings and interpretation of the materials.

This course is based on an independent study model that allows the student to work through the program in a self-directed manner. Questions and return email communication can be engaged in for clarification and guidance when necessary.

Outcome

After having completed this course, students will have:

  • Discovered the different forms of property and its ownership;
  • See the role that bailments play in our society;
  • Understand how regulation strikes a balance between creating responses to and taking into account business activity;
  • Examine what constitutes a negotiable instrument; and
  • Follow the process involved in the transfer of negotiable instruments

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 9 chapters of material); Completion of each chapter is based on achieving a score of 70% or more on tests provided.

Outline

PROPERTY

  • Personal Property and Bailments
  • Real Property
  • Landlord-Tenant Relationships
  •  
REGULATORY LAW
  • Constitutional Authority to Regulate Business
  • Administrative Law  
CONSUMER LAW

  • Consumer Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Antitrust Law
  •  
NEGOTIABLE INSTRUMENTS
  • The Function and Creation of Negotiable InstrumentsChecks, the Banking System, and E-Money

Course Name

Ethics and the Law

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

Attorneys and paralegals need to engage in ethical behavior, because of the duties they owe to their clients and to the legal system. They have access to clients` information or property or to information disclosed with an expectation of confidentiality. Therefore, attorneys and paralegals need to appreciate the degree to which they have a duty to act so as best to serve a client`s interests and to advance the interests of justice.

For this Basic Completion course,students will contact the instructor who will guide them on all course procedures. Students may query the instructor via e-mail and voice, regarding lessons, readings and interpretation of the materials.

This course is based on an independent study model that allows the student to work through the program in a self-directed manner. Questions and return email communication can be engaged in for clarification and guidance when necessary.

Outcome

After having completed this course, students will have:

  • Discovered the ethical considerations involved with legal activity;
  • Seen that lawyers` obligations include representing the client zealously, keeping discussions confidential, and maintain accurate records for clients` funds;
  • Discover what is involved in being able to practice the law; and
  • See what limitations exist on lawyer advertising and solicitation

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 10 chapters of material). Completion of each chapter is based on achieving a score of 70% or more on tests provided.

Outline


  • An Introduction to Legal Ethics (Chapter 1): QUIZ
  • Unauthorized Practice of the Law (Chapter 2); QUIZ
  • Confidentiality (Chapter 3); QUIZ
  • Conflict of Interest (Chapter 4); QUIZ
  • Competent, Diligent and Zealous Representation of the Client (Chapter 5); QUIZ
  • The Ethics of Legal Fees and Financial Matters (Chapter 6): QUIZ
  • Maintaining Integrity and Public Respect for the Legal Profession (Chapter 7): QUIZ
  • Advertising and Solicitation (Chapter 8); QUIZ
  • Business Ethics for Everyone (Chapter 9) Quiz
  • Ethics for the Twenty-First Century (Chapter 10) Quiz

Course Name

Legal Research and Writing

Contact Hours: 24 (an estimated time frame devoted to a course of study from start to finish that can vary from student to student)

Course Description

After completing this course, the student is expected to have acquired the basic skills necessary for writing legal documents. The course is designed to give the student exposure to writing briefs, pleadings, (including motions, complaints, answers, appeals, etc.) and even some basic legal correspondence. The Student should acquire an understanding of the skills and duties of a paralegal in an active law office setting, and basic skills of a beginning law student.

This course is based on an independent study model that allows the student to work through the program in a self-directed manner. Questions and return email communication can be engaged in for clarification and guidance when necessary.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

This course is comprised of self study, occasional email discussions with the professor, written assignments, submissions, and exams. Students are encouraged to contribute to the discussions with their own knowledge and experiences. Reinforcement of learning is accomplished through course and/or chapter objectives and quizzes for each lesson. Written assignments provide students with the opportunity to sharpen their analytical and writing skills. Direct communication occurs between students and instructor through the classroom setting, e-mail, message board, chat rooms, or phone. Attendance at the live chat is not mandatory, but it has been found to be enjoyable by the students and a great way to interact with the professor and classmates.

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES:

Exams and projects are graded on a scale of 100 with 73 or above being satisfactory or at the 2.0 GPA level. An academic average of 63% is required in order to receive credit for the course. Students are encouraged to be in class weekly and class participation is weighted in the final grade computation. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the material covered if lessons are missed and to see that all missed lessons are made up in compliance with the College guidelines. Make-up work undertaken to complete a course after the course has ended may sometimes satisfy grading criteria. A total of 100 points is available for this course, as follows:

Course Grading

  • Message Board 4 points
  • Participation 3 points
  • Email WITH PROFESSOR 5 points
  • Participation 13 points
  • Overall Participation 15 points
  • Quizzes 25 points
  • Mandatory Project 35 points
  • Part I Examination
  • Part II Examination
Class expectations for email participation: The expectation for student emails to the professor are that the messages will reflect a solid understanding of the materials. The message should contain an analysis of the issues involved in the posted discussion questions. In order to perform this analysis, the student will have read and reviewed all of the materials for the week. Students should email messages that demonstrate that they have analyzed the information covered in connection with the discussion questions to come to logical conclusions.

All academic assignments are to be the work of the individual student. The following are examples of dishonesty, or unethical and unprofessional behavior:
  • Plagiarism - Using another person’s words, ideas, or results without giving proper credit to that person, giving the impression that it is a student’s own work
  • Any form of cheating on examinations
  • Altering academic or clinical records
  • Falsifying information for any assignment
  • Partly or wholly completing an assignment for another student or submitting assignments partially or wholly completed by another student.
If you are going to properly use the ideas of another, you must do the following:
  • Know the difference between paraphrasing and quoting.
  • When paraphrasing, make sure it is not too close to the original AND credit paraphrases in the same manner you credit direct quotes.
  • Put phrases, sentences, or paragraphs in quotation marks when copying a direct quote.
  • Credit any source that you have used, either through paraphrasing or through direct quotes.
  • To properly credit a source, you must identify the author, the publication title, date, publisher, place, and page number. For example:
  • If you’re still unclear about when to attribute credit to an author, speak to your professor to help clarify this issue.

Outcome

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to do the following:

  • Prepare a legal memorandum;
  • Prepare a Legal Case Brief;
  • Write Legal Correspondence;
  • Prepare legal pleadings (including motions, complaints, answers, appeals, etc.)

Assessment

Students will complete open-book multiple choice exams on each chapter of material in the course (where the course consists of 18 chapters of material). Students may query the instructor up to three times, via e-mail, regarding course content.

Outline

  1. Prepare a legal memorandum;
  2. Prepare a Legal Case Brief;
  3. Write Legal Correspondence;
  4. Prepare legal pleadings (including motions, complaints, answers, appeals, etc.)

Books

Additional textbook required.Concise Guide To Legal Research and Writing, Deborah E. Bouchoux, ISBN 978-0-7355-9198-1 Wolters Kluwer Law and Business, Aspen Publishers