Department:    PARLG

 Course #:    111

 Credits:    4

 Variable:     No

 Course Description  

Introduction to the paralegal's role in the practice of law, including ethics, office practices, technology, employment opportunities, and client/employer communications. Recommended: basic word processing and concurrent enrollment in PARLG 100. If PARLG 105 not previously taken, concurrent enrollment also recommended.

 Prerequisite  

None

Contact Hours (based on 11 week quarter)

Lecture: 44

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 in the ""typical"" law office.
2. Identify and explain the ethical constraints on, and professional expectations of paralegals.
3. Demonstrate problem-solving ability with workplace interpersonal conflicts.
4. Identify sources of ethical rules of conduct for lawyers and paralegals in Washington.
5. Explain and give at least one example of ethical concerns in such areas as confidentiality, conflict of interest, handling of client funds, unauthorized practice of law, and related areas covered by Rules of Professional Conduct.
6. Analyze and propose practical solutions to common ethical problems.
7. Demonstrate understanding of law office personnel, functions, and use of technology.
8. Use word processing in basic law office applications.
9. Demonstrate an understanding of working with clients of different backgrounds.

General Education Learning Values & Outcomes

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

0. Application and Integration

Definition: Applying information from one or more disciplines and/or field experiences in new contexts (Outcome 0.1); developing integrated approaches or responses to personal, academic, professional, and social issues (Outcomes 0.2-0.5).

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
0.2 Identify the strengths and limitations of different fields of study.
0.3 Identify and evaluate the relationships among different perspectives within a field of study and among different fields of study.

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.
1.4 Evaluate issues (for example economic, legal, historic, social) surrounding the use of information.

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.
2.2 Analyze issues and develop questions within a discipline.
2.3 Identify, interpret, and evaluate pertinent data and previous experience to reach conclusions.

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.
3.4 Produce academic and/or professional writing and integrate it into written and spoken projects.

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.

10. Technology

Definition: Understanding the role of technology in society and using technology appropriately and effectively.

Outcomes: Students will be able to . . .
10.3 Use technology appropriate to the context and task to effectively retrieve and manage information, solve problems, and facilitate communication.

Course Contents

1. Terminology/Functions.
2. Use of appropriate technology in the law office.
3. Legal applications of computer word processing.
4. Paralegal employment.
5. On the Job: Professional expectations.
6. Introduction to ethics.
7. Ethical rules for lawyer conduct.
8. Ethical problems for the paralegal.
9. Regulation/certification issues.
10. Working with clients of diverse backgrounds.