Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	09/16/2011
Top Code	140200 - Paralegal
Units	4 Total Units
Hours	72 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 72)
Total Outside of Class Hours	0
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)

Course Description

Formerly: LAW C120 and LAW C122 combined. Course in legal research methods and writing by examination and analysis of the law, written legal memoranda, and supervised library assignments. Students will have a working knowledge of statutory, case law, secondary source research techniques, and computer assisted legal research. ADVISORY: LAW C100, LAW C105, and LAW C118. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Locate, analyze, and use secondary and primary authority in legal research for preparation of a legal memorandum/appellate brief.
2. Apply the methods and procedures for citing and updating primary and secondary authority including research trail analysis.
3. Utilize computer assisted legal research to locate and update secondary and primary authority in the completion of a legal memorandum/appellate brief.

Course Objectives

• 1. Use computer assisted legal resources to find and update legal research primary authority.
• 2. Use computer assisted legal resources to identify and assess secondary authority for preparation of a legal memorandum/appellate brief.
• 3. Formulate an acceptable legal memorandum or appellate brief that analyzes a general fact situation and includes proper citation, writing style, research trail, and techniques.
• 4. Describe the structure of the court system including the hierarchy of courts.
• 5. Compare and contrast the types and use of primary and secondary authority in legal research and writing.
• 6. Describe how to generate legal research terminology.
• 7. Perform legal research using secondary authority including legal encyclopedia, legal periodicals, restatements, ALR, treatises, and other secondary sources.
• 8. Describe the various case reporters utilized in legal research.
• 9. Use digests in legal research.
• 10. Locate primary authority including constitutional provisions, statutes, cases, and regulations given specific research assignments.
• 11. Explain the legislative process and use of Session laws and legislative history in legal research.
• 12. Provide proper legal citations for secondary and primary authority.

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Lecture Content

The structure of the Court system (1.5 hours) The role of legal research (1.5 hours) Introduction to briefing cases (1.5 hour) Utilizing different research media (1.0 hour) Understanding how to generate legal research terminology (2.0 hours) Using a Dictionary and Thesaurus (1.5 hours) Understanding online research (2.5 hours) How to research utilizing Encyclopedia in paper (2.0 hours) How to research utilizing a Treatise in paper (2.0 hours) How to research utilizing Legal Periodicals in paper (2.0 hours) How to research utilizing ALR in paper (2.0 hours) How to research utilizing Restatements in paper (2.0 hours) How to research in other secondary sources in paper (1.5 hours) Library Research (3 hours) Citing to secondary authority (2.0 hours) Locating information in secondary sources using online research (2.5 hours) Understanding case reporters (2.0 hours) Understanding case digests (2.0 hours) Citing to case law (1.5 hours) How to research cases in paper (2.0 hours) Library Research (3 hours) Locating cases using online research (2.0 hours) Understanding the legislative process (2.0 hours) Utilizing Session Laws (.5 hour) How to research in statutes/codes (2.0 hours) Library Research (3 hours) Locating enacted law using online research (2.5 hours) Citing enacted law (1.5 hours) Understanding agency regulations (1.0 hour) How to research regulations (1.5 hours) Ethics in legal research (1.5 hours) Using online research to locate legislative materials (1.0 hour) Research in procedural rules (1.5 hours) Appellate Practice (1.5 hours) Using folders to manage your online research (.5 hour) Using filters to narro w your online research (.5 hour) Using advanced Boolean searches for online research (1.0 hour) Using databases to enhance your online research (.5 hour) Using online case citators to update your research (1.0 hour) Library Research (3 hours) Exams (6 hours)

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)

Instructional Techniques

Multiple methods of instruction will be used to enhance student understanding of the paralegal profession. Lectures, discussions, forums, interactive activities, and group projects will be utilized to facilitate the learning process. This class requires the use of various methods of audio visuals such as PowerPoint presentations, audio, and video.

Reading Assignments

Students will read from the course textbook as well as any other primary and/or secondary readings assigned by the instructor.

Writing Assignments

Students will be required to complete written homework assignments, complete research assignments, write essays on the exams, and prepare a project paper researching a legal topic as assigned by the instructor.

Out-of-class Assignments

Outside of the classroom students will complete the required readings; work on assigned papers, reports, and projects; study for tests; conduct research; and communicate with the instructor and/or fellow students through telephone, email, discussion boards, or virtual chat.

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking will be demonstrated through written assignments, essays on exams, research papers, and projects.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Research trail will accompany reports and projects. Evaluation and demonstration of law library utilization and resources including computer assisted legal research and research trail analysis. Research paper in the form of a legal memorandum or appellate brief prepared in an acceptable format analyzing a general fact situation including evidence of online research activity.

Eligible Disciplines

Law: J.D. or LL.B NOTE: Courses in aspects of law for application to a particular discipline may be classified, for minimum qualifications purposes in the discipline of the application. Masters degree required.

Textbooks Resources

1. Required Bouchoux, D. Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, 9th ed. Wolters Kluwer, 2019 2. Required Harvard Law Review. Uniform System of Citation, 21st ed. Harvard Law Review Association, 2020

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library