Apps.hacc.edu
HARRISBURG AREA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FORM 335
Course Form 335 must be updated at least every five years per AP 765 to include, at a minimum, the following elements. [§335.2]
1. Digital Description:
Credit hours: 3.0
Lecture hours: 3.0
Lab hours: 0.0
BL: [ ] 1/3 [ ] ½ [ ] 2/3 [ ] Other (Indicate fraction or percent)
2. Catalog Description:
Continued examination of various legal reference sources, including computer-assisted legal research. The course includes extensive drafting of legal memoranda, correspondence, and briefs. A technology fee is required.
Minimum Grade Required
3. Prerequisites: PLGL 102 C
Corequisites:
Other:
4. Learning Outcomes
[These outcomes are necessary to enable students to attain the essential knowledge and
skills embodied in the program’s educational objectives.]
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
• Assist attorneys in conducting legal research
• Research in a law library
• Distinguish the differences between state and federal courts and demonstrate the significance of those differences when conducting legal research
• Prepare case briefs
• Write legal citations properly
• Prepare a legal memorandum, using proper research methodology and format
• Prepare an appellate or trial brief
• Demonstrate computer-assisted legal research skills using Westlaw and Lexis
• Demonstrate improved written communication skills
• Demonstrate an appreciation for the need to meet deadlines in a timely manner through the completion of assignments on time
• Discern legal ethics issues as they pertain to legal research and writing
INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS: Lecture, research exercises
EVALUATION OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE: Written examinations, completion of research exercises completion of legal memorandum, completion of appellate brief.
PARALEGAL COMPETENCY ASSIGNMENTS: Case brief; Interoffice memorandum; Legal memorandum; Appellate brief; Westlaw/Lexis research exercise
5. Planned Sequence of Learning Activities
[These must be designed to help students achieve the learning outcomes.]
TOPIC TIME DEVOTED
Review of legal system in Pennsylvania 1.5 hours
Federal vs. state court structures; jurisdiction (subject matter and personal; applicable law for federal court sitting in diversity); trial vs. appellate jurisdiction; Nature of precedent
Review of sources of legal authority: primary 1 hour
Constitutional law; case law; statutory law; regulatory law
Review of sources of legal authority: secondary 1 hour
Corpus Juris Secundum and other legal encyclopedia; Form books (Standard PA Practice); Treatises; Restatements
Legislative history 1 hour
Need to research legislative history; Appropriate steps and publications for conducting research
Review of briefing of cases 1 hour
Parts of the case; majority/concurrent/dissenting opinions; Purpose of case briefing; Case briefing exercise
Review of use of digests 1 hour
Nature of digests; accessing digests
Review of use of statutes 1 hour
Enactment and codification of statutory law; federal vs. state statutory law; accessing statutes
Review of Shepardization 1 hour
Need for Shepardizing; Use of multiple Shepard’s volumes
Review of proper citation form 2 hours
Blue Book rules; Citations of cases: parallel citations; Citations of statutes; Citations of secondary authority; Citation exercises: (1) Correct improperly written/placed citations; (2) Correct improper pinpoint citations
Digest/statute exercise 2 hours
Library exercise: accessing Pennsylvania Digest and state and federal statutes
Introduction to WESTLAW and Lexis 3 hours
Accessing Lexis through HACC library website; search of federal regulation databases; Accessing WESTLAW using case names; Accessing WESTLAW using
citations; Switching between databases; Formation of queries: Natural Language and Terms and Connectors; Use of KEYCITE feature
WESTLAW / Lexis exercise 1.5 hours
On-line research: Conduct Natural Language search; change databases; Use of KEYCITE; regulatory research through Lexis
Legal memorandum: initial research 3 hours
Review: Purpose of the legal memorandum; Format of legal memorandum; How to begin research
Legal memorandum: library research 3 hours
Identifying legal issues from fact pattern; identifying legal issues in cases researched; Proper wording of issues in memo
Legal memorandum: rough drafts 3 hours
Following appropriate format; Use of proper citation form
Legal memorandum: writing conferences 3 hours
One-on-one conferences between instructor and student to review rough draft
Legal memorandum: final draft 3 hours
Writing as an advocate 1.5 hours
Instructor will chose from variety of possible assignments (e.g. trial brief, appellate brief, opinion letter); instructor will provide DETAILED fact pattern, define format, and issues to be addressed
Advocacy assignment: initial research 3 hours
Library and/or electronic research; rough draft
Advocacy assignment: writing conferences 3 hours
One-on-one conference between instructor and student to review rough draft
Advocacy assignment: final draft 3 hours
Review for final exam 1.5 hours
Review of proper citations; review of case briefing
6. Assessment of Student Learning
[Methods of assessment should be appropriate for Learning Outcomes listed above.]
Assessment of student learning outcomes for the course, as required by AP 765, is part of regular curriculum maintenance and/or improvement. The specific plan has been determined by the pertinent faculty involved and is kept on file in the division office.
7. List of Texts, References, Selected Library Resources or other Learning Materials (code each item based on instructional use): C-Lecture/Laboratory, A-Lecture, B-Laboratory, LC-Lecture/Clinical, CLN-Clinical, I-Online, BL-Blended, D-Independent Study, P-Private Lessons, E-Internship, F-Cooperative Work-Study, FE-Field Experience. [These resources must be easily accessible to students.]
Full-time Textbooks (A):
DeBouchoux, Deborah, Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals (Latest Edition). New York: Aspen
Dickerson, Darby. ALWD Citation Manual (Latest Edition). New York: Aspen Law and Business
Adjunct Textbooks (A):
DeBouchoux, Deborah, Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals (Latest Edition). New York: Aspen
Dickerson, Darby. ALWD Citation Manual (Latest Edition). New York: Aspen Law and Business
Full-time and Adjunct Optional Textbooks:
Uniform System of Citations, A (Latest Edition). Boston: Harvard Law Review
Wagner, Andrea. How to Land Your First Paralegal Job (Latest Edition). New Jersey: Prentice-Hall
Full-time and Adjunct References:
Blue Book
Pennsylvania Reporter (Atlantic Reporter 2d)
Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Annotated
U.S. Code Annotated
Supreme Court Reporter
Pennsylvania Digest
Standard Pennsylvania Practice 2d
Corpus Juris Secundum
Martindale-Hubbell
LEXIS
How to Land Your First Paralegal Job, 2d
8. Prepared by Faculty Member: Kathy Murren Date: 7/2011
9. Approved by Department Chairperson: Kathy Murren Date: 7/2011
10. Approved by Academic Division Dean: Diane Thompson Date: 7/2011
This course meets all reimbursement requirements of Chapter 335, subchapters A / B.
This course was developed, approved, and offered in accordance with the policies, standards, guidelines, and practices established by the College. It is consistent with the college mission.
If the course described here is a transfer course, it is comparable to similar courses generally accepted for transfer to accredited four-year colleges and universities.
11. Associate Dean, Curriculum & Assessment: Erika Steenland (Interim) Date: 7/27/11
12. Provost & VP, Academic Affairs: Ronald R. Young Date: 7/28/11
13. Original Date of course approval by the college: 199120
14. Date(s) of subsequent reviews:
Textbooks updated April 2002, April 2003, April 2004 (dmt)
Reviewed: 12/2003: Revisions made: None. kmb
Reviewed: 12/2004: Revisions made: Full-time and Adjunct Textbooks, Learning Outcomes. (dmt)
Project 3/2006: Revisions: Catalog Description, Learning Outcomes (dmt)
Reviewed: 9/2006: Revisions: Paralegal Competency Assignments added (kbm)
Revised: 7/2011: Learning Outcomes Updated and Textbooks Coded (kbm/dmt)
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