COURSE SYLLABUS

                                                                                   INTRODUCTION TO LAW

                                                                             LGLA 1311, SECTION 76508-001

                                                                                                                       SPRING SESSION 2024

INSTRUCTOR:        MARIO AGUILAR, JD      TELEPHONE:          512-363-8649

E-MAIL:                    maguilar@austincc.edu        WEBSITE:    www.austincc.edu/maguilar

CLASS TIMES:        T 5:40-8:30 P.M.                   ROOM:                      RG10 1314

OFFICE:                    RG30 3116                            MAIL:                        1212 RIO GRANDE                                                                                                                         AUSTIN, TEXAS                                                                                                                             78701

OFFICE HOURS:    MONDAYS 1:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION

Introduction to Law provides an overview of the law and the legal system.  This course covers the Constitution, court system attorney-client relationship, administrative law, crimes, torts, contract law, family law, owning and operating motor vehicles, renters and landlords, home ownership, employee and employer rights and duties, wills, trusts and probate laws and the Declaration of Independence.  The student will develop the knowledge and skills indicated by the Learning Outcomes for the course.

II. REQUIRED TEXT

  Understanding the Law, Seventh Edition, by, John A. McKinsey and Debra D. Burke, ISBN 13:978-1-285-42842-0.

Not Required but Recommended: The Paralegal Ethics Handbook, by Ellen Lockwood, ISBN

9781731954497

III. SCAN COMPETENCIES

The SCAN Competencies that will be developed in this Course are listed on Attachment A.

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL METHODOLOGY

The course will be taught using the following methods of instruction: lecture, Socratic Method, class discussion and participation, class presentations, internet exercises, Travis County Courthouse Visit, Judge Presentations and guest practitioners.  Students will be expected to have absorbed the assigned material prior to class and to be able to respond to questions on the assigned material.  Additionally, students will brief court cases and will be prepared to discuss on those cases.

V. COURSE RATIONALE

Introduction to Law is designed to give students an overview of the law and the legal system.  This course will provide students with an overview of legal concepts, procedures, terminology and current issues in law including constitutional law, administrative law, criminal law, contracts, family law, renters and landlords, real estate, employment law and wills, trusts and probate.  The course is also designed to develop the student’s issue identification skills.

VI. COURSE OUTCOMES

The Student Learning Outcomes for this course are listed on Attachment B.  The ultimate objective of this course and of the ACC Paralegal Program is to prepare the student to perform well as a paralegal in a broad range of law office/law division environments.

VII. COURSE EVALUATION SYSTEM

A.      EVALUATION

            1.         There will be two MIDTERM EXAMS and a FINAL EXAMINATION which will                       be weighted as follows:

                        (A).      Two Midterms (2 X 100 points)                     200 Points

                        (b).       Final Exam                                                      100

            2.         Text Chapter Assignments (Please see Chart Below) 50

            3.         Word Processing Microcredential                                50

                        TOTAL NUMBER OF POINTS                             400 Points

B.        CHAPTER ASSIGNMENTS

You must complete the following chapter assignments.  There are 10 chapter assignments.  Each chapter assignment has a value of 5 Points each for a total of 50 Points.  Assignments must be submitted during class time and respective due dates.

C.        WORD PROCESSING MICROCREDENTIAL

This word processing assignment is a 5-week course worth 50 points, which is half of the 100 points an exam is worth.  It will help you develop and/or improve your computer skills critical to become an excellent paralegal.  It must be completed beginning Monday, January 29 and completed no later than Monday, February 26, 2024 to get credit.  This assignment is not difficult to complete.  This is a foundation course and no prior knowledge or experience is required.  You will learn and have fun with this assignment.  Please know that you will receive partial credit for all work you complete.   

The Department of Digital Fluency and Innovation will help and monitor your progress.  This Department will send you an email with instructions on how to access this microcredential assignment and their Digital Navigator information.  Please know that you will receive a portable digital badge after successful completion that can be shared with employers or online on sites such as LinkedIn.

Today, it is essential for a paralegal to know how to use word processing software for work, school, and paralegal work. Whether you need to write briefs, legal documents, essays, memorandums, reports, resumes, or cover letters, using a word processing app will help you be more productive, reduce errors, and look polished and professional. Microsoft Word and Google Docs are the two most commonly used word processing apps in the world. 

What You’ll Learn:

• Learn basic to advanced skills in Microsoft Word and Google Docs
• Learn formatting, letter writing, and document management
• Insert items, manage tables, and adjust margins and tab stops
• Create bibliographies, citations, table of contents, mail merges, bookmarks, hyperlinks, watermarks, and forms
• Understand pros and cons of when to use either software application
• Development of Integrative Learning professional competency

Remember, you must complete this assignment no later than midnight February 26, 2024, to receive your points.  Again, you will receive credit for all your work even if you do not complete the whole course.

D.        The final letter grade in the course will be based upon the percentage of total available points received, as follows:

            A - 90-100%

B - 80-89%

C - 70-79%

D - 60-69%

F - 0-59%

E.         Make-up exams will be allowed only with permission from the instructor.

 VIII. COURSE POLICIES

A.        Preparation for Class

Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned readings and prepared to participate in class discussions.  Proper classroom behavior is expected at all times.   The student is expected to have read each question at the end of the assigned chapter and made notes as to the answers to the questions.

B.        Attendance/Class Participation

            Regular and punctual class and laboratory attendance is expected of all students.  If          attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may         withdraw students from the class.

C.        Withdrawal Policy

            It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the roll should he or she decides to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however,          reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  If a student decides     to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is submitted before the Final      Withdrawal Date.  The student is also strongly encouraged to retain their copy of the        withdrawal form for their records.   Students who enroll for the third or subsequent time in a   course taken since Fall, 2002, may be charged a higher tuition rate, for that course.

            State law permits students to withdraw from no more than six courses during their entire             undergraduate career at Texas public colleges or universities.  With certain exceptions, all             course withdrawals automatically count towards this limit.  Details regarding this policy can        be found in the ACC college catalog.

D.        Incomplete

            An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all         of the objectives for the passing grade in a course.  An incomplete grade cannot be carried          beyond the established date in the following semester.  The completion date is determined      by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the       subsequent semester.

E.         Statement on Scholastic Dishonesty

            A student attending ACC assumes responsibility for conduct compatible with the mission of        the college as an educational institution.  Students have the responsibility to submit     coursework that is the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.  Students            must follow all instructions given by faculty or designated college representatives when   taking examinations, placement assessments, tests, quizzes, and evaluations.  Actions      constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating,   fabrication, collusion, and falsifying documents.    Penalties for scholastic dishonesty will      depend upon the nature of the violation and may range from lowering a grade on one        assignment to an “F” in the course and/or expulsion from the college.  See the Student             Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Process and other policies at      http://www.austincc.edu/current/needtoknow

F.         Student Rights and Responsibilities

            Students at the college have the rights accorded by the U.S. Constitution to freedom of     speech, peaceful assembly, petition, and association. These rights carry with them the        responsibility to accord the same rights to others in the college community and not to    interfere with or disrupt the educational process. Opportunity for students to examine and       question pertinent data and assumptions of a given discipline, guided by the evidence of       scholarly research, is appropriate in a learning environment. This concept is accompanied   by an equally demanding concept of responsibility on the part of the student. As willing             partners in learning, students must comply with college rules and procedures.

G.        Student Discipline

In the event, a student acts in such a way as to significantly interfere with or disrupt the learning atmosphere of the classroom, the instructor may direct the student to leave the class and may take other measures as appropriate.   See the ACC Student Handbook either in hardcopy or on the web: http://www3.austin.cc.tx.us/evpcss/handbk/toc.htm

H.        Statement on Students with Disabilities

            Each ACC campus offers support services for students with documented disabilities.         Students with disabilities who need classroom, academic or other accommodations must     request them through the office Student Accessibility Services (SAS).   Students are encouraged to request accommodations when they register for courses or at least three    weeks before the start of the semester, otherwise the provision of accommodations may be        delayed.  

            Students who have received approval for accommodations from SAS for this course must             provide the instructor with the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from SAS before             accommodations will be provided.   Arrangements for academic accommodations can only          be made after the instructor receives the ‘Notice of Approved Accommodations’ from the     student.  

            Students with approved accommodations are encouraged to submit the ‘Notice of Approved             Accommodations’ to the instructor at the beginning of the semester because a reasonable amount of time may be needed to prepare and arrange for the accommodations.

Additional information about Student Accessibility Services is available at http://www.austincc.edu/sas.

I.          Course Calendar

The Course Calendar is attached to this Syllabus.

J.          Safety Statement

            Austin Community College is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for             study and work. You are expected to learn and comply with ACC environmental, health and      safety procedures and agree to follow ACC safety policies. Additional information on these   can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/ehs. Because some health and safety circumstances          are beyond our control, we ask that you become familiar with the Emergency Procedures          poster and Campus Safety Plan map in each classroom. Additional information about       emergency procedures and how to sign up for ACC Emergency Alerts to be notified in the      event of a serious emergency can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/emergency/.            Please note, you are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and     courtesy to all. Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or     safety of another individual will be dismissed from the day’s activity, may be        withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

            You are expected to conduct yourself professionally with respect and courtesy to all.         Anyone who thoughtlessly or intentionally jeopardizes the health or safety of another     individual will be immediately dismissed from the day’s activity, may be withdrawn from the class, and/or barred from attending future activities.

K.        Use of ACC email

            All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail             account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related         emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email            communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their    ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Information about       ACCmail, including instructions on setting up an account, can be found at             http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/

L.         Testing Center Policy

            All Exams will be taken during class time.  Nevertheless, under certain circumstances, an             instructor may have students take an examination in a testing center.  Students using the   Academic Testing Center must govern themselves         according to the Student Guide for Use         of ACC Testing Centers and should read the entire      guide before going to take the exam.  To       request an exam, one must have:

            ACC Photo ID

            Course Abbreviation (e.g., ENGL)

            Course Number (e.g., 1301)

            Course Synonym (e.g., 10123)

            Course Section (e.g., 005)

            Instructor's Name

            Do NOT bring cell phones to the Testing Center.  Having your cell phone in the testing    room, regardless of whether it is on or off, will revoke your testing privileges for the    remainder of the semester.  ACC Testing Center policies can be found at            http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/

M.        Student and Instructional Services

            ACC strives to provide exemplary support to its students and offers a broad variety of             opportunities and services.  Information on these services and support systems is available           at:   http://www.austincc.edu/support/

            Links too many student services and other information can be found at:      http://www.austincc.edu/

            ACC Learning Labs provide free tutoring services to all ACC students currently enrolled in         the course to be tutored.  The tutor schedule for each Learning Lab may be found at:              http://www.austincc.edu/tutor

            For help setting up your ACCeID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, see a Learning Lab   Technician at any ACC Learning Lab.

N.        Concealed Handgun Policy

The Austin Community College District concealed handgun policy ensures compliance with Section 411.2031 of the Texas Government Code (also known as the Campus Carry Law), while maintaining ACC’s commitment to provide a safe environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors.  Beginning August 1, 2017, individuals who are licensed to carry (LTC) may do so on campus premises except in locations and at activities prohibited by state or federal law, or the college’s concealed handgun policy.  It is the responsibility of license holders to conceal their handguns at all times.  Persons who see a handgun on campus are asked to contact the ACC Police Department by dialing 222 from a campus phone or 512-223- 7999.

O.        Student Support Services

            Resources to support you are available at every campus.  Food pantries are available at all             campus Student Life offices (https://sites.austincc.edu/sl/programs/foodpantry/).  Assistance             paying for childcare or utility bills is available at any campus Support             Center (http://www.austincc.edu/students/support-center).  For sudden, unexpected           expenses that may cause you to withdraw from one or more of your courses, go        to http://www.austincc.edu/SEF to request emergency assistance through the Student    Emergency Fund.  Help with budgeting for college and family life is available through the     Student Money Management Office (http://sites.austincc.edu/money/).  Counselors are    available at any campus if you experience a personal or mental health concern             (http://www.austincc.edu/students/counseling).  All services are free and confidential.

ATTACHMENT A

INTRODUCTION TO LAW

LGLA 1311

SCAN COMPETENCIES

STUDENTS IN THIS COURSE WILL BE EXPECTED TO USE OR ACHIEVE THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIESTUS

1.       RESOURCES

1.l.   Allocates Time: Allocates time between coursework/work/family/friends.

2.       INTERPERSONAL

2.1.   Participates as a Member of a Team: Works cooperatively with others on joint assignments.

2.2.   Teaches Others: Explains concepts in class.

1. 1. Negotiates: Works toward an agreement on the validity of exam questions.

2.6. Works with Cultural Diversity: Works well with men and women and with a variety of ethnic, social, or educational backgrounds in the context of the class.

3.       INFORMATION

3.1. Acquires and Evaluates Information: Extracts crucial legal issues from court cases.

3.2. Organizes and Maintains Information: Takes notes on assigned material for use in class.

3.3. Interprets and Communicates Information: Evaluates assigned material and explains it to the class.

3.4. Uses Computers to Process Information: Employs computers to process course notes and to obtain, analyze and brief court cases.

5.       TECHNOLOGY

5.1. Applies Technology to Task: Understands the overall intent and the proper procedures for setting up and using computers and their programs.

6.       BASIC SKILLS

6.1.    Reading: Locates, understands, and interprets written information in the text and assigned court cases.

6.2     Writing: Communicates thoughts, ideas, information, and messages effectively in writing.

6.5     Listening: Receives, attends to, interprets, and responds to verbal messages during class lectures and discussions.

6.6.   Speaking: Organizes ideas and effectively communicates thoughts when being

          questioned in class and during class discussions.

7.       THINKING SKILLS

7.1.   Creative Thinking: Uses imagination freely, combines ideas in new ways, when

          discussing hypothetical problems.

1. 1. Decision Making: Chooses the best alternative in multiple-choice questions.

7.3.   Problem Solving: Recognizes that problems in hypothetical situations and

          identifies possible solutions.

7.5.    Knowing How to Learn: Finds the important information in class discussions and texts and consolidates the information into a useable format.

7.6.    Reasoning: Identifies the crucial issue in a court case and recognizes the

potential application of the rule in the case to other cases with similar facts and circumstances.

8.       PERSONAL QUALITIES
 

1. 1. Responsibility. Exerts a high level of effort and perseverance in effectively preparing for class and class discussions.

8.4. Self-Management: Motivates self through goal achievement; exhibits self-control and responds to feedback unemotionally and non-defensively, is a "self-starter."

8.5. Integrity/Honesty: Can be trusted to accomplish her/his own work without excessive involvement of other students.

ATTACHMENT B

INTRODUCTION TO LAW

LGLA 1311

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of each segment of the Course, the student should be able to achieve

the following learning outcomes:

 A.       INTRODUCTION

1. Define the concept of law.
2. Understand the origins of the English common law system and its connection to U.S. legal system.
3. Explain the doctrine of stare decisis.
4. Identify and understand the sources and bodies of law.
5. Understand the differences between criminal and civil law, state and federal laws, private and public laws and procedural and substantive laws.
6. Understand basic constitutional principles.
7. Define and compare jurisdiction and venue, civil and criminal, mandatory precedent and

persuasive authority, equity and law, legal brief and case brief, as well as other relevant terms.

B.        READING AND BRIEFING A CASE AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

1. Know the basic components of a reported case and related terminology as well as the relationship between the head notes and the various digests.
2. Know other basic terminology, including annotation, parallel cite, and official and unofficial reporters.
3. Know how to read and brief a case.
4. Understand how to frame issues and analyze a case.
5. Define and compare pertinent evidentiary concepts, e.g., relevant and material, direct and circumstantial, competent and credible, opinion and hearsay, and admission of party opponent and declaration against interest.
6. Define certain evidentiary concepts, e.g., best evidence, authentication, and parole evidence.

C.        STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

1. Understand the basic history and terminology related to statutory enactments.

2. Understand how to read a statute.

3. Know the basic formula for analyzing a statute.

4. Understand the difference between strict and liberal construction and between codes and

revised statutes.

D.        RESEARCH AND WRITING

1. Name all state and federal primary authorities.
2. Know the main categories and functions of secondary authorities.
3. Understand the concept of non-authority.
4. Understand how primary and secondary authorities are updated.
5. Understand the function and relevant concepts pertaining to the state and federal reporters, statutes, and digests.
6. Understand how to use Shepard's and its purposes and value.
7. Know the basic functions of other research tools, e.g., ALR, Corpus Juris Secundum, Texas Jurisprudence, Subsequent History Table, the Uniform System of Citation, Texas Rules of Form, and Black's Law Dictionary.
8. Understand the components of a proper legal citation.
9. Discuss how to determine appropriate research tools.
10. Understand the basics of research strategy using case law, statutory law, and electronic resources.
11. Understand the organizational format in writing essays generally.
12. Enhance both understanding and use of the rules of proper grammar, spelling, and style.
13.  Learn basic tools for legal writing.

E.              ETHICS

1. Know the sources of legal and ethical guidelines for legal professionals.
2. Understand basic ethical rules and disciplines governing attorney and paralegal conduct, including confidentiality, conflict of interest, independent professional judgment, use of a paralegal, and sharing fees.

            3.         Understand the ethical wall and how a paralegal protects him/her from conflicts.

4.         Define unauthorized practice of law and battery and know to avoid both practices.

F.         CIVIL PROCEDURE AND DISCOVERY

1. Understand the anatomy of a simple trial.
2. Understand the functions of the main participants including the judge, witnesses, jury, attorneys and paralegals.
3. Know different names of pleadings in state and federal courts.
4. Understand basic pleadings and their formats including depositions, interrogatories, motions to produce, requests for physical and emotional examinations and requests for admissions.
5. Understand the concept of legal counting.
6. Know the name, purpose, and scope of each different form of discovery, including the advantages and disadvantages of each.
7. Know discovery deadlines and notice requirements.
8. Understand the concept of discovery sanctions.
9. Be aware of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and know its author.
10. Understand terms related to civil procedure, e.g., due process, service of process, affirmative defenses, compulsory and permissive counterclaim, cross-claim, pre-trial conference, default judgment, voir dire, peremptory challenge, challenge for cause, burden of proof prima facie case, and charge.

1. CRIMINAL LAW

1. Define a crime and understand its major causes.
2. Know the Miranda warning and its purpose.
3. Know constitutionally protected rights and remedies by Constitutional Amendment and understand the purpose of the various protections.
4. Know the sequence of events between the commission and the disposition of a crime.
5. Know the standard of proof in criminal (and civil) cases.
6.  Know the sources of defense counsel for various jurisdictions.

H.        SUBSTANTIVE CIVIL LAW (TORTS. REAL ESTATE. DECEDENTS' ESTATES. DOMESTIC CONTRACTS

1. Differentiate between injunctions and monetary awards and know related terminology.
2. Differentiate between negligence, intentional torts, and strict-liability torts.
3. Understand the elements of a contract, when an offer ends, the differences between a bilateral and unilateral contract, and the function of the Statute of Frauds.
4. Understand basic contract terms including competent parties, legality, consideration and assent.
5. Learn what constitutes a breach and available remedies.
6. Distinguish between real and personal property, tangible and intangible personal property, and fixtures and appurtenances.
7. Understand various ownership interests in land and associated terminology.
8. Understand major steps in buying a house.
9. Know what a real estate contract and its major components are.
10. Understand what a closing is and how it works and what principal documents are used including the deed, note, real estate contract and settlement statement.
11. Learn what mortgages and liens are.
12. Understand what acceleration and foreclosure are and how they work.
13. Differentiate between testate and intestate and understand related terms.
14. Understand basic steps to prepare a will and a trust
15. Know the types of wills and the essential elements of a will.
16. Understand the general rules on intestate succession in Texas.
17. Understand how a simple administration works.
18. Differentiate between an annulment and a divorce and understand the basic documents and terminology associated with domestic relations generally.
19. Understand what separate and community property are and how property is divided in a simple divorce.
20. Understand basic elements in preparing and enforcing a child support order.

I.          STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS

1. Define original, appellate, concurrent, and pendent jurisdictions.
2.  Understand diversity and federal question jurisdiction.
3. Understand such terms as judicial restraint, justiciable controversy, standing and mootness.
4. Understand the levels of operation of the state and federal court systems, including the various courts, composition of the juries, select duties of officers and employees of the courts, and the jurisdiction of the various criminal and civil courts.
5.  Understand basic court history and the most recent changes in jurisdiction of the Texas state courts of appeals.

J.      PROGRAM-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

1. To ensure that students understand a broad range of legal concepts and terms.

1. To ensure that students are able to perform legal research and identify and apply the salient holdings of appellate decisions to related fact patterns.

1. To ensure students ability to apply legal concepts to changing fact patterns.

1. To ensure students understanding of the basis for, and ability to draft, the documents used in a broad range of legal environments.

1. To encourage students to develop the initiative and work habits that will make them successful in a broad range of legal environments.

1. Ultimately, to prepare the student to perform well as a paralegal in a broad range of law office/law division environments.
   SPRING 2024 COURSE CALENDAR

Please note that the Course Calendar is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.  Internet assignments, case briefs and/or special assignments may be added to Course Calendar.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONCTACT ME 24/7 AT (512) 363-8649.

LAW IS BEAUTIFUL AND FUN!!!

LET’S MAKE THIS CLASS OUR GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE!!!

LET’S HAVE A GREAT SEMESTER TOGETHER!!!

II. REQUIRED TEXT

  Understanding the Law, Seventh Edition, by, John A. McKinsey and Debra D. Burke, ISBN 13:978-1-285-42842-0.

Not Required but Recommended: The Paralegal Ethics Handbook, by Ellen Lockwood, ISBN

9781731954497

1. SPRING 2024 COURSE CALENDAR

Please note that the Course Calendar is subject to change at the instructor’s discretion.  Internet assignments, case briefs and/or special assignments may be added to Course Calendar.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONCTACT ME 24/7 AT (512) 363-8649.

LAW IS BEAUTIFUL AND FUN!!!

LET’S MAKE THIS CLASS OUR GREATEST LEARNING EXPERIENCE!!!

LET’S HAVE A GREAT SEMESTER TOGETHER!!!

ATTACHMENT B

INTRODUCTION TO LAW

LGLA 1311

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of each segment of the Course, the student should be able to achieve

the following learning outcomes:

 A.       INTRODUCTION

1. Define the concept of law.
2. Understand the origins of the English common law system and its connection to U.S. legal system.
3. Explain the doctrine of stare decisis.
4. Identify and understand the sources and bodies of law.
5. Understand the differences between criminal and civil law, state and federal laws, private and public laws and procedural and substantive laws.
6. Understand basic constitutional principles.
7. Define and compare jurisdiction and venue, civil and criminal, mandatory precedent and

persuasive authority, equity and law, legal brief and case brief, as well as other relevant terms.

B.        READING AND BRIEFING A CASE AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

1. Know the basic components of a reported case and related terminology as well as the relationship between the head notes and the various digests.
2. Know other basic terminology, including annotation, parallel cite, and official and unofficial reporters.
3. Know how to read and brief a case.
4. Understand how to frame issues and analyze a case.
5. Define and compare pertinent evidentiary concepts, e.g., relevant and material, direct and circumstantial, competent and credible, opinion and hearsay, and admission of party opponent and declaration against interest.
6. Define certain evidentiary concepts, e.g., best evidence, authentication, and parole evidence.

C.        STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

1. Understand the basic history and terminology related to statutory enactments.

2. Understand how to read a statute.

3. Know the basic formula for analyzing a statute.

4. Understand the difference between strict and liberal construction and between codes and

revised statutes.

D.        RESEARCH AND WRITING

1. Name all state and federal primary authorities.
2. Know the main categories and functions of secondary authorities.
3. Understand the concept of non-authority.
4. Understand how primary and secondary authorities are updated.
5. Understand the function and relevant concepts pertaining to the state and federal reporters, statutes, and digests.
6. Understand how to use Shepard's and its purposes and value.
7. Know the basic functions of other research tools, e.g., ALR, Corpus Juris Secundum, Texas Jurisprudence, Subsequent History Table, the Uniform System of Citation, Texas Rules of Form, and Black's Law Dictionary.
8. Understand the components of a proper legal citation.
9. Discuss how to determine appropriate research tools.
10. Understand the basics of research strategy using case law, statutory law, and electronic resources.
11. Understand the organizational format in writing essays generally.
12. Enhance both understanding and use of the rules of proper grammar, spelling, and style.
13.  Learn basic tools for legal writing.

E.              ETHICS

1. Know the sources of legal and ethical guidelines for legal professionals.
2. Understand basic ethical rules and disciplines governing attorney and paralegal conduct, including confidentiality, conflict of interest, independent professional judgment, use of a paralegal, and sharing fees.

            3.         Understand the ethical wall and how a paralegal protects him/her from conflicts.

4.         Define unauthorized practice of law and battery and know to avoid both practices.

F.         CIVIL PROCEDURE AND DISCOVERY

1. Understand the anatomy of a simple trial.
2. Understand the functions of the main participants including the judge, witnesses, jury, attorneys and paralegals.
3. Know different names of pleadings in state and federal courts.
4. Understand basic pleadings and their formats including depositions, interrogatories, motions to produce, requests for physical and emotional examinations and requests for admissions.
5. Understand the concept of legal counting.
6. Know the name, purpose, and scope of each different form of discovery, including the advantages and disadvantages of each.
7. Know discovery deadlines and notice requirements.
8. Understand the concept of discovery sanctions.
9. Be aware of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and know its author.
10. Understand terms related to civil procedure, e.g., due process, service of process, affirmative defenses, compulsory and permissive counterclaim, cross-claim, pre-trial conference, default judgment, voir dire, peremptory challenge, challenge for cause, burden of proof prima facie case, and charge.

1. CRIMINAL LAW

1. Define a crime and understand its major causes.
2. Know the Miranda warning and its purpose.
3. Know constitutionally protected rights and remedies by Constitutional Amendment and understand the purpose of the various protections.
4. Know the sequence of events between the commission and the disposition of a crime.
5. Know the standard of proof in criminal (and civil) cases.
6.  Know the sources of defense counsel for various jurisdictions.

H.        SUBSTANTIVE CIVIL LAW (TORTS. REAL ESTATE. DECEDENTS' ESTATES. DOMESTIC CONTRACTS

1. Differentiate between injunctions and monetary awards and know related terminology.
2. Differentiate between negligence, intentional torts, and strict-liability torts.
3. Understand the elements of a contract, when an offer ends, the differences between a bilateral and unilateral contract, and the function of the Statute of Frauds.
4. Understand basic contract terms including competent parties, legality, consideration and assent.
5. Learn what constitutes a breach and available remedies.
6. Distinguish between real and personal property, tangible and intangible personal property, and fixtures and appurtenances.
7. Understand various ownership interests in land and associated terminology.
8. Understand major steps in buying a house.
9. Know what a real estate contract and its major components are.
10. Understand what a closing is and how it works and what principal documents are used including the deed, note, real estate contract and settlement statement.
11. Learn what mortgages and liens are.
12. Understand what acceleration and foreclosure are and how they work.
13. Differentiate between testate and intestate and understand related terms.
14. Understand basic steps to prepare a will and a trust
15. Know the types of wills and the essential elements of a will.
16. Understand the general rules on intestate succession in Texas.
17. Understand how a simple administration works.
18. Differentiate between an annulment and a divorce and understand the basic documents and terminology associated with domestic relations generally.
19. Understand what separate and community property are and how property is divided in a simple divorce.
20. Understand basic elements in preparing and enforcing a child support order.

I.          STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS

1. Define original, appellate, concurrent, and pendent jurisdictions.
2.  Understand diversity and federal question jurisdiction.
3. Understand such terms as judicial restraint, justiciable controversy, standing and mootness.
4. Understand the levels of operation of the state and federal court systems, including the various courts, composition of the juries, select duties of officers and employees of the courts, and the jurisdiction of the various criminal and civil courts.
5.  Understand basic court history and the most recent changes in jurisdiction of the Texas state courts of appeals.

J.      PROGRAM-LEVEL STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES 

1. To ensure that students understand a broad range of legal concepts and terms.

1. To ensure that students are able to perform legal research and identify and apply the salient holdings of appellate decisions to related fact patterns.

1. To ensure students ability to apply legal concepts to changing fact patterns.

1. To ensure students understanding of the basis for, and ability to draft, the documents used in a broad range of legal environments.

1. To encourage students to develop the initiative and work habits that will make them successful in a broad range of legal environments.

Ultimately, to prepare the student to perform well as a paralegal in a broad range of law office/law division environments.