PLST-200 Online Assignment Help

29 July, 2024 | 8 Min Read

School of Law · School of Law · School of Law

Introduction to Paralegal Studies

PLST-200

Fall B 2019 Section B01 08/19/2019 to 10/11/2019 Modified 10/03/2019  Contact Information

See detailed faculty information in Blackboard.  Course Description

This course will provide an introduction to the paralegal profession and the role of the paralegal within the law office. This survey course will introduce the student to the American legal system, civil litigation, criminal law and procedure, the appeals process, and substantive legal topics such as tort, contract law, and property law. Students will be taught a variety of administrative skills necessary in a law practice office including legal research, legal vocabulary, critical reading and writing, client interview, investigation, law office administration, and technologies. Legal ethics, professionalism, and biblical worldview will be taught.

Requisites Prerequisites

None

 Rationale

The purpose of this course is to expose the learners to introductory-level essential elements of the legal system and the paralegal profession as well as introduce critical thinking skills on biblical, ethical, and legal levels as related to the study of Paralegalism.

 Course Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:

A. Explain the role of a paralegal and skills necessary for the profession.

B. Identify rules of ethics and professional responsibility that govern legal professionals.

C. Explain basic law office practices and forms of client communication.

D. Discuss the American legal system as well as the civil, criminal, and appellate legal processes.

E. Recognize general legal principles and rules of law.

F. Employ critical thinking skills by utilizing appropriate legal analysis and vocabulary in the production of written discussions

pertaining to legal issues.

G. Analyze all of the preceding in light of a distinctly evangelical Christian worldview.

 Course Resources

Required Resource

The resource below is provided in the course at no cost to the student. However, if the student prefers a physical copy of the resource, he or she may purchase it through the Liberty University Online bookstore (http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/liberty.htm), MBS Direct. The purchase of physical copies is optional.

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Roger Miller & Mary Meinzinger, Paralegal Today: The Legal Team at Work (7th ed. 2016).

Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Blackboard recommended browsers (https://help.blackboard.com/Learn/Student/Getting_Started/Browser_Support)

D. Microsoft Office

E. Bluebook Writing Guide:

https://www.liberty.edu/casas/academic-success-center/bluebook-resources/ (https://www.liberty.edu/casas/academic- success-center/bluebook-resources/)

 Course Assignments

  Textbook readings, articles, bible readings and presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.

Discussion Board Forums (6)

Discussion boards are collaborative learning experiences. The purpose of Discussion Board Forums is to generate interaction among students in regard to relevant current course topics. The student is required to post 1 thread of at least 300 words. The student must also post 2 replies to classmates’ threads of at least 125 words. For each thread, the student must support his/her assertions with at least 2 sources in current Bluebook format. Each reply must cite at least 1 source in current Bluebook format. Acceptable sources include the course textbook, the Bible, and legal sources.

Quizzes (8)

There will be 8 open-book/open-notes quizzes that will be completed during the module/week in which they are assigned. Each quiz will contain 25 multiple-choice questions and will cover all of the required Reading & Study materials found in that module/week. The student will have 1 hour to complete each quiz.

 Course Grading

Course Requirements Checklist

Discussion Board Forums (6 at 100 pts ea)

10 600

Quizzes (8 at 50 pts ea) 400

Total

1010

 Course Policies

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

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Course Assignments, including discussion boards, exams, and other graded assignments, should be submitted on time.

If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email. Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:

1. Late assignments submitted within one week after the due date will receive a 10% deduction.

2. Assignments submitted more than one week and less than 2 weeks late will receive a 20% deduction.

3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.

4. Group projects, including group discussion board threads and/or replies, and assignments will not be accepted after the due

date.

Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.

Instructor Feedback and Response Time

Responses to student emails will be provided within 36 hours and assignment feedback will be given within 6 days from the assignment due date.

Disability Assistance

Students with a disability and those with medical conditions associated with pregnancy may contact Liberty University’s Online Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at LUOODAS@liberty.edu for accommodations. Such accommodations require appropriate documentation of your condition. For more information about ODAS and the accommodations process, including how to request an accommodation, please visit www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport. Requests for accommodations not related to disabilities or pregnancy must be directed to the Registrar’s Office, which generally handles medical needs support.

If you have a complaint related to disability discrimination or an accommodation that was not provided, you may contact ODAS or the Office of Equity and Compliance by phone at (434) 592-4999 or by email at equityandcompliance@liberty.edu. Click to see a full copy of Liberty’s Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy or the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures.

Course Attendance

In an effort to comply with U.S. Department of Education policies, attendance is measured by physical class attendance or any submission of a required assignment within the enrollment dates of the course (such as examinations, written papers or projects, any discussion board posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs. Regular attendance in online courses is expected throughout the length of the term. Students who do not attend within the first week of a sub-term by submitting a required academic assignment (such as the Course Requirements Checklist, an examination, written paper or project, discussion board post, or other academic activity) will be dropped from the course. Students who wish to re-engage in the course are encouraged to contact Academic Advising to discuss their enrollment options. Students who begin an online course, but at some point in the semester cease attending, and do not provide official notification to withdraw, will be assigned a grade of “FN” (Failure for Non-Attendance). Students wishing to withdraw from courses after the official start date should familiarize themselves with the withdrawal policy.

Grading Scale

ABCDF

900-1010 800-899 700-799 600-699 0-599

For courses with a Pass/NP final grade, please refer to the Course Grading section of this syllabus for the assignment requirements and/or point value required to earn a Passing final grade.

Add/Drop Policy

The full policy statement and procedures are published in the Policy Directory (https://wiki.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes).

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Honor Code

Liberty University comprises a network of students, Alumni, faculty, staff and supporters that together form a Christian community based upon the truth of the Bible. This truth defines our foundational principles, from our Doctrinal Statement to the Code of Honor. These principles irrevocably align Liberty University’s operational procedures with the long tradition of university culture, which remains distinctively Christian, designed to preserve and advance truth. Our desire is to create a safe, comfortable environment within our community of learning, and we extend our academic and spiritual resources to all of our students with the goal of fostering academic maturity, spiritual growth and character development.

Communities are predicated on shared values and goals. The Code of Honor, an expression of the values from which our Doctrinal Statement was born, defines the fundamental principles by which our community exists. At the core of this code lie two essential concepts: a belief in the significance of all individuals, and a reliance on the existence of objective truth.

While we acknowledge that some may disagree with various elements of the Code of Honor, we maintain the expectation that our students will commit to respect and uphold the Code while enrolled at Liberty University.

Adherence to the principles and concepts established within facilitates the success of our students and strengthens the Liberty community.

The Code of Honor can be viewed in its entirety at https://www.liberty.edu/students/community-life/graduate-and-online- students/.

 Schedule

PLST 200

Textbook: Miller & Meinzinger, Paralegal Today (2016).

Module/Week Reading\&Study Assignments

Points

10 0 100 50

Miller & Meinzinger: chs. 1 & 3 Bible Readings