Department:    PARLG

 Course #:    105

 Credits:    1

 Variable:     No

 Course Description  

Introduction to and exploration of paralegal career field; review of employment opportunities, qualifications and skill requirements and professional expectations; assessment and advising for course placement; skills practice and development; resumes and job search. (May be taken more than one quarter.)

 Prerequisite  

None

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 11

Lab: 0

Other: 0

Systems: 0

Clinical: 0

Intent: Distribution Requirement(s) Status:  

Vocational Preparatory Required for ATA degree, Required for certificate  

Equivalencies At Other Institutions

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Explain paralegal job functions and required skills in the ""typical"" law office.
2. Identify employment trends and opportunities for paralegals locally, statewide and nationally.
3. Describe briefly the history of the development of the paralegal field, and the current status of its regulation.
4. Identify and explain some of the ethical constraints on, and professional expectations of, paralegals.
5. Objectively assess his or her strengths and weaknesses as a student and as a paralegal.
6. Develop and apply strategies for continuous improvement.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

Revised August 2008 and affects outlines for 2008 year 1 and later.

1. Information Literacy

Definition: Recognizing when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
1.1 Determine the extent of information needed.

2. Critical Thinking

Definition: The ability to think critically about the nature of knowledge within a discipline and about the ways in which that knowledge is constructed and validated and to be sensitive to the ways these processes often vary among disciplines.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
2.1 Identify and express concepts, terms, and facts related to a specific discipline.

3. Communication

Definition: Understanding and producing effective written, spoken, visual, and non-verbal communication.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
3.2 Recognize, produce and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal, group, and public speaking skills.

6. Individual Awareness & Responsibility

Definition: Understanding, managing, and taking responsibility for one’s learning and behavior in varied and changing environments.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
6.2 Demonstrate standards of professionalism in manner, appearance, and setting appropriate to the context, including the classroom, workplace, and community.

Course Contents

1. Paralegal job functions.
2. Employment trends and opportunities.
3. History of the paralegal field.
4. Ethical constraints.
5. Job search and resumes.