LGL-200: Civil Litigation

School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Business & Economics
Department
Legal Studies
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Legal Studies
Course Number
200
Course Title
Civil Litigation
Cross-Referenced Course
PLGL-200: Civil Litigation
Credit Hours
4.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
62.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
ENG-131 and PLGL-126 both with a C grade or better, or Instructor Permission
Catalog Course Description

Examines civil trials, beginning with a review of the pleadings that initiate a civil law suit and concluding with the trial. Covers pre-trial practice, pre-trial motions, trial preparation, and offers a mock-trial experience. Also explores Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), post-trial motions, and appeals.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Overview of Civil Litigation & Civil Procedure
    • Explain the principles of civil litigation and the method by which a case moves through the civil court system.*
    • Identify appropriate federal and state court rules of civil procedure relating to each stage of litigation.*
  2. Initial Pleadings
    • Discuss the substantive and procedural rules relating to investigating, preparing, filing, serving, and answering initial pleadings.*
    • Perform civil litigation research using computer-assisted research skills.
    • Draft a complaint or answer.*
  3. Pretrial Procedings
    • Explain the federal or state rules of discovery.*
    • Discuss interpretation and organization of discovery materials.
    • Discuss the substantive and procedural rules relating to pre-trial motions.*
    • Perform civil litigation research using computer-assisted research skills.*
    • Draft a motion or discovery request.*
  4. Settlement and Alternative Dispute Resolution
    • Differentiate among alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options.*
    • Explain the federal and state court rules about ADR.*
  5. Pre-trial Preparation
    • Explain the procedures for preparing for trial.*
  6. Trial
    • Explain the stages of a trial.*
    • Participate in a mock trial.*
    • Discuss the substantive and procedural rules of trial and post-trial motions.*
  7. Appeals
    • Discuss the substantive and procedural rules of civil appeals.*
  8. Ethics
    • Evaluate the ethical considerations and the role of the paralegal on the litigation team.*

Assessment and Requirements

Assessment of Academic Achievement
Students will be assessed through quizzes, tests, in-class and out-of-class assignments, drafting assignments, and/or class participation.

Outcomes

Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Effective Term
Fall 2019