Advanced and
specialized approaches to utilize the legal resources available
in a law library, and elsewhere, will be examined. The conceptual
differences between computer-assisted legal research and hard copy
research will be taught. You will also learn how to formulate WESTLAW
search queries and effectively and efficiently use WESTLAW and other
online legal research methods as timesaving devices in legal research
and legal writing.
This seven-week
course is designed to examine more thoroughly advanced and specialized
approaches to utilizing the legal sources available in the law library
and online.
COURSE OBJECTIVES: After successfully completing the tests and assignments for this
seven-week course, you will know:
- The hierarchy
and structure of our court systems
- The importance
of and applications of the different types of legal authority
- The doctrine
of stare decisis
- The difference
between common law and civil law
- The necessity
for preemption by the federal government.
- The concepts
of jurisdiction and venue
- The purposes
of the different sets of books
- The elements
of research
- How to organize
a research project
- How to define
issues
- How to narrow
and refine a research project
- How to begin
a research project
- How to search
by key number
- How to search
by topic
- The purpose
of head notes and annotations
- The purposes
of the different sets of books
- The elements
of research
- How to organize
a research project
- How to define
issues
- How to narrow
and refine a research project
- How to begin
a research project
- How to search
by key number
- How to search
by topic
- The purpose
of head notes and annotations
EXPECTATIONS: You will be expected to spend an average of 8 hours per week reading
and completing writing assignments. Please note that, barring extenuating
circumstances, extensions will not be granted for this online course.
70% is the minimum passing score on all tests and assignments for
this course. Students may consider working ahead in the curriculum
if they have the time.
PREREQUISITES: Successful completion of Paralegal Certificate Course, Part I (Paralegal
1 & 2), or the equivalent, or law office experience.
REQUIRED
TEXTS:
- Legal
Research in a Nutshell; by Morris L. Cohen and Kent C. Olson,
ISBN 0-314-09589-6.
- WESTLAW online legal research access, available for the duration of the
course for only $75.00. Order online
Highly Recommended
Legal Resources:
• Black's
Law Dictionary,
3rd Pocket Edition, by Bryan A. Garner. St. Paul: West Group.
| Reading
Assignments for Lesson Topics: |
| Lesson One:
LEGAL RESEARCH: REVIEW OF BASIC CONCEPTS |
Read Chapters
1 & 2 in Legal Research in a Nutshell (Nutshell) |
| Lesson Two:
ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH AND WESTLAW |
Read Chapters
3, 4 & 5 in Nutshell |
| Lesson Three:
ELEMENTS OF RESEARCH AND WESTLAW CONTINUED |
Review Chapters
3, 4 & 5 in Nutshell |
| Lesson Four:
LEGAL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET |
Read Chapters
6-10 in Nutshell
|
| Lesson Five:
LEGAL RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET CONTINUED |
Review Chapters
6-10 in Nutshell |
| Lesson Six:
CITATION FORMAT AND PRIMARY SOURCES OF LAW |
No required reading |
| Lesson Seven:
COURSE REVIEW |
No required reading |
TESTS: For each
of the six lessons you will submit a 50-point test covering the information
within that topic. These tests are due by 9 a.m. each Friday, and can be
found under the assignments link as well as within the course content.
BULLETIN BOARD
ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation
assignments. These Bulletin Board Assignments assignments make up your
class participation grade. All lesson objectives, assignments, and tests
can be found within the Lesson Material and also under Activities. Additional
resources are available by accessing the URL Library tool.
GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six Bulletin Board assignments
(class participation) and six tests. You will have the opportunity to
engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board forums to
respond to the bulletin board assignments throughout the course. Also,
participating in the bulletin board assignments will enhance your understanding
of the reading material.
Your final grade will
be figured as follows:
- The six exams are
worth 50 points each and comprise 70% of your grade.
- Your participation
in class participation assignments comprises 30% of your grade.
WITHDRAWAL
POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund less a non-refundable
$15 administrative fee if written notice is sent to The Center for Legal
Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com by the Wednesday before class
begins. Students may drop the course with a 50% tuition refund if written
notice is sent to The Center for Legal Studies by email at info@legalstudies.com
anytime from the Thursday before the course begins until the first Thursday
of class. After the first Thursday of class, no refunds will be issued.
|