Discipline: Legal Assisting (Paralegal Studies) Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Paralegal Studies 72


COURSE DESCRIPTION
72 Legal Analysis/Writing Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite(s): PAL 10: Introduction Paralegal Studies and PAL 68: Civil Litigation and Procedures I and/or BUS 18A: Business Law I
The study of techniques for analyzing judicial opinions and applying precedential decisions to current controversies, and of the written formats used in various legal documents, with emphasis on court pleadings. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Study of techniques for analyzing judicial opinions and applying precentral decisions to current controversies, with emphasis on writing.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

   1.   Analyze judicial opinions and apply precedential decisions to 
         current controversies.

   2.   Draft and evaluate the following communications in a 
         manner proper for their use in court or a law office:  
         Memorandum, points and authorities, pleadings, declarations, 
         letters, interrogatories, document demands and deposition 
         summaries.

   3.   Analyze published court opinions and prepare briefs.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Briefing of Published Cases Memorandum
  2. Memorandum of Points and Authorities
  3. Complaints
  4. Answers
  5. Motions
  6. Declarations
  7. Interrogatories and Document Demands
  8. Court Rules Governing Format of Legal Documents
  9. Codes of Civil Procedure Governing Format of Legal Documents
  10. Final Exam
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

  • Lecture
  • Demonstration
  • Discussion
  • Multimedia
  • Case Studies
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Essays/case analysis
  • Written formats/memorandum
  • Discussion/mock interviews
  • Objective-type examinations
  • Term project/course specific computer applications
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Case Analysis and Fundamentals of Legal Writing, Statsky & Wernet, West Publishing Company
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