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Legal Research

PLST-201

CG Section 8WK 01/03/2020 to 06/11/2020 Modified 12/12/2022  Course Description

This course will introduce students to the court system, case law, statutes, and legal research methods. Paralegals are expected to perform legal research that is both competent and cost effective. This requires an understanding of legal systems and legal research techniques. In this course, students will gain hands-on experience by employing current legal research methods.

Requisites

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog (https://catalog.liberty.edu/).

 Rationale

Quality legal research and writing skills are the hallmark of a great legal professional. The most important thing a law student learns is how to think and write like a legal professional. In this course, you will begin developing the important research skills that are critical to becoming a successful paralegal professional.

 Course Learning Outcomes

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

A. Describe the major primary and secondary sources of law.

B. Identify the primary features and content of case reporters, codebooks, secondary sources, and various other collections and

publications of legal authority.

C. Locate relevant law controlling a factual problem.

D. Analyze a case to select the most legally significant information.

E. Demonstrate proper legal citation style.

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

 Course Resources

Click on the following link to view the required resource(s) for the term in which you are registered: Liberty University Online Bookstore (https://bncvirtual.com/liberty).

Additional Materials for Learning

A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment

B. Internet access (broadband recommended)

C. Canvas recommended browsers (https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-

computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66)

D. Microsoft Word

E. Bluebook Writing Guide: https://www.liberty.edu/casas/academic-success-center/bluebook-resources/

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

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 Course Assignments

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 300–500 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and include at least 3 scholarly, academic sources in Bluebook format. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 150–250 words and include at least 2 scholarly, academic sources cited in Bluebook format.

Internet Assignments (7)

The student is required to provide answers in response to the assigned questions. The length of these assignments will vary in nature.

Case Brief Assignments (3)

The student will draft a 1–2-page synopsis of 3 assigned cases. The student will briefly explain the facts, issues, holding, and rationale of each case assigned.

Statutory Research Assignment

The student is required to provide answers in response to an assigned question. There is no length requirement to this assignment.

Quiz: Research Project Topic Selection

The student will select 1 of several project options from a pre-approved list in a quiz format.

Final Research Project Assignment

The student will perform research based on the project he/she selected in order to locate and brief 4 relevant cases and a minimum of 2 statutory sections.

Quizzes (3)

Each quiz will be taken through the Cengage platform. Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned module. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 50 multiple-choice and true/false, matching, or fill-in-the blank questions, and have a 75- minute time limit.

 Course Grading

10

Discussions (3 at 75 pts ea) 225

Course Requirements Checklist

Internet Assignments (7 at 25 pts ea)

175

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50

Quiz: Research Project Topic Selection 25

150

Quizzes (3 at 50 pts ea) 150

1010

225

Final Research Project Assignment

Total

 Course Policies

Case Brief Assignments (3 at 75 pts ea)

Statutory Research Assignment

 Policies

Late Assignment Policy

Course Assignments, including discussions, 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 up to a 10% deduction.

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

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

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

the instructor.

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

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

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 https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation- support/ (https://www.liberty.edu/online/online-disability-accommodation-support/). 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 (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Liberty+University+Discrimination,+Harassment,+and+Sexual+Misconduct+Policy) or

the Student Disability Grievance Policy and Procedures (https://www.liberty.edu/disability-support/wp- content/uploads/sites/106/2022/01/Disability-Grievance-Procedures.pdf).

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,

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any discussion posts, etc.) or initiating any communication with one’s professor regarding an academic subject. More information regarding the attendance policy (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Online+Attendance+and+Non-Attendance) can be found in the Academic Course Catalogs (https://www.liberty.edu/academics/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 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 (https://wiki.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Unofficial+Withdrawals)). 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.os.liberty.edu/display/IE/Dropping+and+Adding+Online+Classes). 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/honor-code/ (https://www.liberty.edu/students/honor-code/).

 Schedule

                                 When Topic Notes

Technology Integration Set-Up Prepare: Cengage MindTap

      Course Overview Student Acknowledgements Course Requirements Checklist

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 When Topic Notes

    Module 1: Week 1

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 2 items

   Apply

Discussion: Locating Local Law Libraries U.S. Courts: Internet Assignment

  Module 2: Week 2

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 3 items

     Apply

Garratt v. Dailey: Case Brief Assignment Statutory Research Assignment

U.S. Supreme Court: Internet Assignment

  Module 3: Week 3

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

     Apply

Discussion: Jury Instructions

Secondary Sources: Internet Assignment Quiz: Primary Authorities

    Module 4: Week 4

Learn

Read: 1 item Review: 2 items Watch: 1 item

   Apply

Hackbart v. Cincinnati Bengals, Inc.: Case Brief Assignment The Bluebook: Internet Assignment

Quiz: Caselaw Primary Authority and Secondary Authority

    Module 5: Week 5

Learn

Read: 2 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply

Discussion: Locating Case Law Online

Legislation and Case Citation: Internet Assignment

      Module 6: Week 6

Learn

Read: 2 items Review: 2 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply

Non-Virginia Case Regarding Unconscionability: Case Brief Assignment Legal Research Steps: Internet Assignment

Quiz: Research Project Topic Selection

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 When Topic Notes

    Module 7: Week 7

Learn

Read: 1 item Review: 3 items Watch: 1 item

 Apply

Legislation: Internet Assignment Quiz: Online Research

     Module 8: Week 8

Learn

Apply Final Research Project Assignment

Read: 2 items Review: 1 item Watch: 2 items

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