PLGL-225: Legal Writing

This course is INACTIVE
School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Business & Economics
Department
Paralegal
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Paralegal
Course Number
225
Course Title
Legal Writing
Credit Hours
3.00
Instructor Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Student Contact Hours Per Semester
47.00 (for 15-week classes)
Grading Method
A-E
Pre-requisites
PLGL 125 and ENG 131 - both with a C grade or better
Catalog Course Description

Explores how to identify complex legal issues and research them using electronic research tools. Covers how to synthesize multiple sources of law, draft a comprehensive statement of current law, and then apply that law to a hypothetical fact scenario. Also covers presenting results in an objective memorandum and/or a persuasive brief.

Goals, Topics, and Objectives

Core Course Topics
  1. Identification of Legal Issues
    1. Identify and analyze complex legal issues from real and hypothetical fact scenarios.*
  2. Legal Research
    1. Develop strategies for advanced legal research using computer-assisted research tools.*
  3. Validation
    1. Validate findings.
  4. Legal Synthesis
    1. Synthesize and apply multiple sources of law relevant to a complex real or hypothetical fact scenario.*
  5. Memoranda
    1. Draft accurate and concise issue statements, rules of law, and analysis and conclusions of law.*
    2. Apply synthesized law to a complex real or hypothetical fact scenario.*
    3. Draft objective memoranda of law using appropriate legal writing style.*
  6. Brief*
    1. Draft accurate and concise issue statements, rules of law, and conclusions of law.*
    2. Apply synthesized law to a complex real or hypothetical fact scenario.*
    3. Draft persuasive legal brief using appropriate legal writing style.*
  7. Legal Citation
    1. Properly cite findings.
  8. Ethics
    1. Evaluate the ethical considerations of the paralegal in the legal research process.*

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.

Approval Dates

Effective Term
Winter 2016
Deactivation Date
ILT Approval Date
Curriculum Committee Approval Date