Academic Catalogs

LAW C122: Computer Assisted Legal Research

Course Outline of Record
Item Value
Top Code 140200 - Paralegal
Units 1 Total Units 
Hours 30 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 12; Lab Hours 18)
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), 
  • Pass/No Pass (B)

Course Description

This course is a continuation of LAW C120 solving legal research problems with computer assisted legal research resources. PREREQUISITE: LAW C120 or concurrent enrollment. ADVISORY: LAW C118. Transfer Credit: CSU.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

  1. Find and update primary authority to support application of the law to a fact situation in a client's case.
  2. Integrate the resource materials into a research memorandum or report .
  3. Formulate legal reasoning, analysis, interpretation, and application of the law to a fact situation using electronic research services.
  4. Locate and assess information for factual investigation in a client's case.

Course Objectives

Lecture Content

Course overview        (2 hours) Westlaw (Lexis) or other online legal research programs    (6 hours) Queries Terms and connectors Citing Time Management        (1 hour) Cite Checking        (2 hours) History Treatment Citing Test Legislative History        (2 hours) Internet            (5 hours) Legal sites Factual sites Government sites

Lab Content

here.

Method(s) of Instruction

  • Lecture (02)
  • Lab (04)

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Time management reports on assignments, research trails, and query development details. Two or more written research problems demanding computerized legal research analysis, printed sources, internet searches, updating, interpretation, research trail, application of the law, and conclusion.

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 Kunz. The Process of Legal Research, 6th ed. Aspen Publisher, 2004 Rationale: - 2. Required Harvard Law. Bluebook: Uniform System of Citation, 17th ed. The Columbia Law Review Association, 2000 Rationale: - 3. Required Jessen. California Style Manual, 4th ed. West Pub., 2000 Rationale: -

Other Resources

1. Coastline Library