Introduction to Legal Studies
Introduces structure and procedures of the American federal and state judicial systems, the legislative process, legal reasoning and research, the litigation process, and several substantive areas of law. Includes the canons of legal ethics and the role and responsibilities of a paralegal.
Subject Code: PLG
Course Number: 114
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours 3
Course Learning Outcomes:
1. Describe the role a paralegal plays in the legal system.
2. Identify and explain the three essential ethical standards that must be followed in all law offices, namely: avoidance of conflicts of interest, confidentiality of clients’ secrets and avoidance of the unauthorized practice of law.
3. Describe on a unit test the structure of the federal judicial system.
4. Describe the structure of the state judicial systems.
5. Describe differences between civil and criminal lawsuits.
6. List in appropriate order seven (7) key procedural stages of a civil trial.
7. Identify the five (5) discovery techniques used in pretrial disclosure.
8. Brief a judicial opinion.
9. Use appropriate legal terminology.
Effective Term: Fall 2020
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