SYLLABUS
PARALEGAL PROGRAM
Course Title: Trial Preparation/Procedure
Course Number: LEGL 345 -IE
Term: Spring 2005
Course Description: An overview of the civil litigation process
with consideration of trial preparation, strategies and techniques and the
Federal and Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure with emphasis on Pleading and
Discovery.
Course Objectives: To provide insight and knowledge of the
day-to-day handling of a civil case in litigation through actual examples. The
student will participate in interviewing, drafting of pleadings and discovery
tools, and research and writing of a paper as well as following text materials
and lectures. Note-taking is emphasized as a beneficial skill not only in class
but very particularly in the practice of the profession.
Textbook: The Litigation Paralegal. A Systems Approach, Third Ed.,
McCord. West Publishing Company.
Special Class Procedures: Readings from Text, class participation,
out of class assignments. Examinations Quiz, Mid-term exam, Final Exam.
Class Attendance: University Policy stipulates: "Attendance at all classes and laboratory sessions is expected of all students and all courses are conducted with this understanding. A student's grades are based upon the general quality of work performed in each course and by such factors as prompt completion of all assignments, papers and readings, by presence for all examinations, and by participation in class discussion. The faculty has no obligation to provide special consideration of any kind to students who are absent from classes or examinations unless in the judgment of the faculty members the reason for the absence warrants such consideration. Assignments and examinations missed are graded as failures. Class attendance can be mandated by a faculty member and can affect the grade given provided that students are notified through the course syllabus at the beginning of the semester... Students are advised that class attendance or nonattendance can have a substantial influence on the quality of performance and completion of assignments, in class participation for and success in examination, and in any other factors that may be used as criteria in determining the grades that will be received. Freshmen who are absent from a particular course in excess of twice the number of credit hours assigned to that course may be dismissed from the course upon recommendation by the faculty member to the Dean of the student's division. Missing an 80- minute period is considered as one and one-half absences." (Catalog, page 40) Absences from this class will be excused only by presentation of a doctor's release, an excuse from Ms. Agresti, from the Dean, or by my prior agreement. If you are being excused for athletics, please provide an excuse from your coach. Each missed class constitutes 1.5. Any cut in excess of 2 classes (3 cuts) will result in a grade reduction of .75 from your final computed grade for each such cut. This applies to all students in the course.
Academic Integrity: There will be zero tolerance in this class for any form of cheating. You are particularly directed to review the section on Academic Integrity in the Undergraduate Catalog and in the Code of Academic Integrity which has been provided you. Infractions in this class will result in this adjunct professor seeking your immediate removal from the class with forfeiture of credit and possible recommendation for suspension or separation from the University. You are reminded that you are seeking to enter a profession pledged to upholding and enforcing the rule of law and you must always provide a personal example of your commitment to that principle.
Evaluation Procedures: Quiz
5%
Midterm
30%
Final
30%
Assignments
30%
Class Participation
5%
100%
Any assignment handed in late will receive a deduction of 10 points for each day
the assignment is late after the date it is due. Grades will be assigned on the
following scale:
A = 90% to 100%
B+ = 88% or 89%
B = 80% to 87% inclusive
C+ = 78% or 79%
C = 70% to 77% inclusive
D = 60% to 69% inclusive
F = 59% or below