School
Business, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development
Division
Business & Economics
Department
Legal Studies
Academic Level
Undergraduate
Course Subject
Paralegal
Course Number
226
Course Title
Legal Writing
Cross-Referenced Course
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
Explores how to identify legal issues and perform advanced-level research using Westlaw® and other Internet-based research databases. Covers application of the law to a hypothetical fact scenarios and presenting results in an objective memorandum, persuasive brief, or oral argument, using appropriate legal terminology and citation.
Goals, Topics, and Objectives
Core Course Topics
- Identify Legal Issues
- Identify and analyze complex legal issues from real and hypothetical fact scenarios.
- Legal Research and Analysis
- Develop strategies and conduct advanced legal research using computer-assisted research tools.
- Analyze and apply multiple sources of law relevant to a complex real or hypothetical fact scenarios.
- Objective Memoranda
- Draft an objective memorandum analyzing and applying the law to a multi-issue real or hypothetical fact scenario.
- Properly validate and cite findings.
- Opinion Letter
- Draft a legal opinion for a hypothetical client, legally supporting the conclusion and recommendation.
- Persuasive Brief or Argument
- Analyze and apply multiple sources of law relevant to a complex real or hypothetical fact scenarios, develop an appropriate persuasive argument, and present the argument either orally or in writing.
- Ethics
- Evaluate the ethical considerations of the paralegal in the legal research and writing 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.
Outcomes
Satisfies Wellness Requirement
No
Approval Dates
Effective Term
Fall 2020
Review Semester
Fall 2020