ADVANCED DOCUMENT
PREPARATION - LGLA 2333
I.
Course Description: Preparation
of legal documents based on hypothetical fact situations drawn from various
areas including real estate, family law, contracts, litigation and business
organizations. The student will develop
the knowledge and skills indicated by the Learning Outcomes for the course.
II.
Required Text and Materials:
ROBERT R. CUMMINS, BASICS
OF LEGAL DOCUMENT PREPARATION (DELMAR)
Two 3.5 disks
III.
SCANs Competencies:
The SCANs Competencies that will be
developed in this Course are listed on
IV.
Instructional Methodology:
This course will be taught via a
combined lecture and computer lab format.
There will be periodic exams over the lecture material, and each class
the student must perform an in-class lab assignment.
V.
Course Rationale:
This course is designed to
familiarize the student with various areas of law as well as increase the
student’s skills in computer programs frequently utilized in the legal
profession.
VI.
Course Outcomes:
The Student Learning Outcomes for this
course are listed on Attachment B.
VII.
Course Evaluation System:
a. There will be three quizzes as well as
ten lab assignments.
(1) Quizzes --- 10 points each
(2) Lab Assignments --- 10 points each
b. Your final grade will be computed as
follows:
Quizzes:
30 points
Lab: 70
points (we will take the highest 7 lab grades)
c. 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%
VIII. Course Policies:
a.
Preparation
for Class
The student will be expected to have read and
absorbed all of the material assigned for a particular class session.
b. Attendance.
Two absences will be allowed. Arrival in class
more than 15 minutes after the beginning of class or leaving class more than 15
minutes before the end of class will be treated as a "one-half
absence."
c. Withdrawal.
Excessive absences may eventually result in the
student being withdrawn from the course. Do not, however, assume that absences
will automatically result in a withdrawal. Excessive absences may simply result
in a letter grade "F" at the end of the course. If the student wishes to withdraw from the
course, the student must go to an Admissions Office and fill out a Withdrawal
Form.
d. Incomplete
An “Incomplete” will not be granted in this
course unless the student has a grade of “C” or better on the first two exams,
and a demonstrable emergency.
e. Scholastic Dishonesty
Acts prohibited by the college for which
discipline may be administered include scholastic dishonesty, including but not
limited to cheating on an exam or quiz, plagiarizing, and unauthorized
collaboration with another in preparing outside work. Academic work submitted by students shall be the result of their
thought, research or self-expression.
Academic work is defined as, but not limited to tests, quizzes, whether
taken electronically or on paper; projects,
either individual or group, classroom presentation, and homework.
f. Academic Freedom
Each student
is expected to participate in class. In any classroom situation that includes
discussion and critical thinking, there are bound to be differing viewpoints.
Students may not only disagree with each other on occasion, but the students
and instructor may also find that they have disparate views. It is expected
that these differences will enhance the class and create an atmosphere where
students and instructor alike will be encouraged to think and learn.
Accordingly, rest assured that no student’s grade will be adversely affected by
any beliefs or ideas expressed in class.
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. Office of Students with Disabilities
Each ACC campus offers support services for
students with documented physical or psychological disabilities. Students with disabilities must request
reasonable accommodations through the Office for Student with Disabilities on
the campus where they expect to take the majority of their classes. Students are encouraged to do this three
weeks before the start of the semester.
i.
Course Calendar
The Course Calendar is a separate document that
you will have received along with this syllabus.
j. Testing Center
General use of the testing center is not
available to students in this course; however, should you have occasion to use
an ACC testing center, be sure to first review the Testing Center Guidelines
available either in the testing center or on the web under “Students” at:
http://www2.austin.cc.tx.us/testctr/
k.
Student
Services Handout
A Student Services Handout is attached for your
review.
l.
Instructional
Services Handout
An Instructional Services Handout is attached
for your review
Advanced Legal Document
Preparation LGLA 2333
SCANS Competencies
Students in this Course
will be expected to use or achieve the following Competencies
COURSE COMPETENCIES
(SCANS)
RESOURCES
1.1 Manages Time
INFORMATION
3.1 Acquires and
Evaluates Information
3.2 Organizes and
Maintains Information
3.3 Uses Computers
to Process Information
TECHNOLOGY
5.2 Applies
Technology To Task
BASIC SKILLS
6.1 Reading
6.2 Writing
6.3 Arithmetic
6.4 Mathematics
6.5 Listening
6.6 Speaking
THINKING SKILLS
7.1 Creative
Thinking
7.2 Decision Making
7.3 Problem Solving
7.5 Knowing How to
Learn
7.6 Reasoning
PERSONAL QUALITIES
8.1 Responsibility
8.2 Self-Esteem
8.4 Self-Management
8.5
Integrity/Honesty
Advanced Legal Document
Preparation LGLA 2333
LEARNING
OUTCOMES
Upon completion of each
segment of the Course, you should be able to achieve the following learning
outcomes:
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES:
A. Legal Systems-- the student will be able to:
1. Identify the bodies of law
2. Describe the state and federal court systems (trial court and
appellate)
3. Explain how to research legal issues
B. Litigation, an overview-- the student will
be able to:
1. Identify the relevant material for a client interview
2. Describe how to manage a case
3. Explain how to draft a petition
4. Describe the discovery process of litigation
5. Identify the discovery documents
C. Real Estate-- the student will be able to:
1. Identify real estate documents
2. Explain the differences between special warranty, general
warranty and quit claim deeds
3. Describe the process of purchasing real estate, including the
contract for sale, mortgage, title insurance, deed, and deed of trust.
D. Family Law-- the student will be able to:
1. Identify family law documents including a petition, answer, and
interrogatories
2. Explain the process of divorce in Texas,
including venue, time constraints, child support and community property,
3. Explain the process of obtaining a protective order
4. Identify the agencies in central Texas
providing low cost divorces/pro bono legal services
E. Bankruptcy-- the student will be able to:
1. Identify bankruptcy documents
2. Explain the differences between Chapter 7, 11, and 13
bankruptcies
3. Describe the bankruptcy process
F. Document Preparation-- the student will be
able to:
1. Draft a variety of documents typically associated with a legal
practice