Center For Legal Studies - www.legalstudies.com

Legal Investigation Certificate Course

Online Format Syllabus

This intensive online program is designed to teach legal investigation to those interested in pursuing a new career and those presently working in the legal field.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: After successfully completing the tests and assignments for this seven-week course, you will know:

the origins and history of the American legal system
the meaning and application of important legal terminology
ethics for the law office
the elements of tort law and contract law
the important rules of civil procedure
how to interview clients and witnesses
how to conduct a legal investigation: gathering facts, gathering evidence and taking statements of clients and witnesses
how to handle evidence that has been gathered
the important rules regarding the admissibility of evidence in court
how to perform legal research
how to create a freelance legal investigation business

EXPECTATIONS: This is an accelerated course. You will be expected to spend an average of at least 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.

TEXTS: The required texts for this course are available through The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737.

The following text is recommended but not required:

Garner, Bryan A. Black's Law Dictionary, 3rd Pocket Edition. St. Paul: West Publishing, 2006.

To order the recommended texts, please call The Center for Legal Studies at 800-522-7737 or email us at info@legalstudies.com.

WEEKLY TOPICS:

Week One: Introduction to the American Legal System
Week Two: An Overview of Civil Procedure, Contract Law, and Tort Law
Week Three: The Rules of Evidence
Week Four: Fact and Evidence Gathering Techniques
Weeks Five: Handling Evidence and Interviewing Techniques
Weeks Six & Seven: Legal Research, Ethical Considerations, and the Job Search

TESTS: For each weekly topic you will submit a 50-point short answer/essay exam covering the topics in your weekly reading. These tests are due by 5:00 p.m. each Monday, and are submitted using the Private Mail tool.

WRITING ASSIGNMENT: You will be asked to complete a writing assignment worth 100 points, which is due by 5:00 p.m. on the last Monday of class. You will submit your memos using the Private Mail tool.

BULLETIN BOARD ASSIGNMENTS: You will also post your responses to six class participation assignments. These assignments, each worth 10 points, will be submitted using the Bulletin Board tool by 5:00 p.m. each Monday and make up your class participation grade. All weekly objectives, assignments, and tests can be found in the Lesson Material tool. Additional resources are available by accessing the URL Library tool.

GRADING
Your grade will be based on your completion of six tests, one writing assignment, and class participation. The tests and memos are submitted using the Private Mail tool. You will have the opportunity to engage in "class participation" by using the Bulletin Board tool 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 tests are 50 points each and comprise 60% of your grade.
The one writing assignment is worth 100 points and comprises 30% of your grade.
Your participation in class participation assignments comprises 10% of your grade.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY
Students may drop the course with a full tuition refund 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.