INTERNSHIP - LGLA 2388
I.
Course Description: The course is
designed to provide the advanced student with work experience external to the
College consisting of at least 20 hours per week. A written agreement between the College, the student and an
employing law office or legal agency will be developed. Mentored and supervised by an attorney or
experienced paralegal, the student will be expected to achieve objectives that
are developed jointly by the College, student and workplace supervisor. The objectives will involve the performance
of specific occupational outcomes normally performed by legal
assistants/paralegals. The intern will
be paid by the employer unless the internship is with a government agency or
not-for-profit organization.
II.
Required/Recommended Texts:
A. Required Purchase: (1) Black's Law Dictionary
III.
SCANs Competencies:
The SCANs Competencies that may be
developed in this Course are listed on
IV.
Instructional Methodology:
This course will be a combination of
an external learning experience, classroom lecture and individualized
videotapes on pertinent subjects that will be viewed and critiqued by the
student. The lecture component will
address relevant subjects which due to time constraints, could not be addressed
in the other courses in the Program.
V.
Course Rationale:
This course is designed to provide
the student with the opportunity to apply concepts learned in the classroom, to
a real-world work environment. It is
normally the most valuable course that students take because of the synthesis
between work and school. It also gives
the student an opportunity to display their abilities to a potential employer
or, to obtain expanded responsibilities from a current employer.
VI.
Course Outcomes:
The Student Learning Outcomes for this
course are listed on Attachment B.
VII.
Course Evaluation System:
a.
The
student’s grade in the course will consist of a combination of a grade given by
the instructor and a grade given by the workplace supervisor. The grade given by the instructor will
reflect the timely and effective completion of the objectives set forth in the
Course Calendar. The grade given by the
workplace supervisor will reflect how well the student achieved the planned
objectives and goals as well as the student’s overall effectiveness in the work
environment.
b. Total course points will be computed as
follows:
(1)
Instructor --------------------------- 100 points
(2)
Workplace
Supervisor ----------- 100 points TOTAL POINTS 200 POINTS
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%
d. The final paper submitted by the
student, will reflect the students own evaluation of the goals and objectives
that were achieved and what the student learned from the achievement of those
goals and objectives. In addition, the
paper may reflect learning that arose collaterally from the student’s presence
in the work environment. The paper will
be typed, five pages minimum, 12 pitch,
and will count for 50% of the points given by the instructor.
VIII. Course Policies:
a.
Completion
of Course Calendar Objectives
The student will be expected to complete in a
timely fashion, all of the objectives listed on the Course Calendar. Failure to complete or delayed completion
will result in the loss of points on the instructor’s evaluation.
b. Class Attendance.
One absence will be allowed. A second absence
(for good cause) will result in an “incomplete” grade in the course. The “incomplete” must be made-up during the
following semester or it will be changed to an “F.” A second absence without good cause will result in an “F” in the
Course.
c. Withdrawal.
The Instructor may withdraw the student for
failure to timely complete the objectives listed on the Course Calendar, or may
simply award the student the grade earned.
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 timely completed all objectives during the first
half of the course and has a demonstrable emergency or has for good cause,
missed two classes.
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.
i. 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
j. 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.
k.
Course
Calendar
The Course Calendar is a separate document that
you will have received along with this syllabus.
l.
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/
m.
Student
Services Handout
A Student Services Handout is attached for your
review.
n.
Instructional
Services Handout
An Instructional Services Handout is attached
for your review
INTERNSHIP – LGLA 2388
SCANS Competencies
Students in this Course
will be expected to use or achieve the following Competencies
Resources
1.l. Allocates Time: Allocates time
between coursework/work/family/friends.
Interpersonal
2.1. Participates as a Member of a Team:
Works cooperatively with others on joint assignments in the workplace or
classroom.
2.2. Teaches Others: Explains concepts to
others.
2.5. Negotiates: Works toward consensus
in the workplace and classroom.
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 work
and classroom.
Information
3.1.
Acquires and Evaluates Information: Extracts crucial legal issues from
research of cases.
3.2.
Organizes and Maintains Information: Organizes and maintains legal
documents.
3.3.
Interprets and Communicates Information: Evaluates assigned work and
effectively communicates results to appropriate individuals.
3.4.
Uses Computers to Process Information: Employs computers to process work
assignments.
Technology
5.2.
Applies Technology to Task: Understands the overall intent and the
proper procedures for setting up and using computers and their programs as well
as other workplace technology.
Basic
Skills
6.1. Reading: Locates, understands, and
interprets written information.
6.2. Writing: Communicates thoughts,
ideas, information, and messages effectively in writing.
6.5. Listening: Receives, attends to,
interprets, and responds to verbal messages in the workplace.
6.6. Speaking: Organizes ideas and
effectively communicates thoughts in the
workplace.
Thinking
Skills
7.1. Creative Thinking: Uses imagination
freely, combines ideas in new ways, when analyzing problems.
7.2. Decision Making: Chooses the best
alternative when faced with multiple options.
7.3. Problem Solving: Recognizes the
problems in 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.
Personal
Qualities
8.1. Responsibility. Exerts a high level of
effort and perseverance in the workplace.
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 workers.
INTERNSHIP (LGLA 2388) LEARNING OUTCOMES
The
student will develop and achieve individualized learning outcomes and
objectives based upon the needs and opportunities in the student’s workplace.
In
addition, the student will achieve the following learning outcomes:
1.
Identify the student’s
individual personality type.
2.
Identify the four basic
personality types as propounded by Kiersey and Bates.
3.
Identify the various
characteristics of each of the four personality types.
4.
Identify the factors
that positively motivate each of the personality types.
5.
Identify the factors
that do not positively motivate each of the personality types.
6.
Identify the possible
personality types of co-workers, family and friends.
7.
Identify methods to
avoid or defuse conflicts in the workplace and at home.
8.
Identify what
constitutes sexual harassment in the workplace.
9.
Identify the appropriate
steps for an employee in the event of sexual harassment.
10. Identify the
appropriate steps for an employer in the event of sexual harassment.
11. Identify the
situations in which an employer can be liable for sexual harassment by a
non-employee.
12. Identify
appropriate steps for dealing with difficult co-workers and clients.
13. Identify
problems and solutions in dealing with workplace confidentiality issues.
14. Identify
ethical issues involving confidentiality.
15. Identify
appropriate interviewing and investigation techniques.
16. Identify
radical defenses used in court cases.
17. Identify
inappropriate job interviewing techniques.
18. Identify
desirable job interviewing techniques.