HomeMy WebLinkAboutLGL-101STUDENT COURSE OUTLINE
BERGEN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
DIVISION OF BUSINESS, ARTS & SOCIAL SCIENCES
LEGAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT
INSTRUCTOR: TELEPHONE:
OFFICE ROOM # OFFICE HOURS: TBA
COURSE TITLE:
CREDITS & HRS: 3 credits (3 lec.)
PREREQUISITES: None
COURSE
DESCRIPTION: LGL-101 Fundamentals of Law is an introduction to the principles of substantive law
in the fields of contracts, torts, and business organizations.
TEXTBOOK: Introduction to Law for Paralegals. Currier and Eimermann, Wolters Kluwer Law &
Business, Aspen College Series, New York (2012 5th or most recent edition).
PRACTICAL ASSIGNMENTS: Legal Memo – Examination of the duties and responsibilities of the
paraprofessional in the legal workplace environment with specific
examination of attorney client relationship.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 1. Introduce students to the fields of law. This course shall
include discussion regarding the role of the paralegal and legal
nurse consultant; the market, the duties and responsibilities and
relationship of the paraprofessional with the attorney.
Measure:
A. The instructor will distribute current articles relating to the
above topic for the student to read and understand.
B. Students are required to view the films “My Cousin
Vinnie” and “Erin Brokovich” (on reserve in the Library)
and write a report on how each film demonstrates the duties and
responsibilities of a paralegal/paraprofessional and how it benefits
the lawyer.
2. Provide a foundation in substantive law so that the student
is prepared for advanced courses in the Paralegal and Legal Nurse
Consultant Programs Curriculum. (All Sections)
A. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze, interpret
and apply principles of fields of substantive law to client’s
cases. (All Sections)
Measure: Students will solve essay questions on exams
that requires students to interpret and apply laws to
hypothetical legal problems.
Standards (As applying to all Learning Objectives): Students will
take 3 exams given at intervals in the course. At least 70% of all
students will receive an average of “70" or better on these
examinations.
COURSE CONTENT:
SESSION SUBJECT SECTION (S)
(3 hrs) 1 Paralegals and the American Legal System; View “My Cousin Vinnie”
Introduction to the Paralegal and Legal Nurse and “Erin Brokovich”
Consultant Careers – Academic, Curricular and prepare a 2 page memo
and Practical; Licensure, Certification; on each film; see also Ch2
Opportunities and 11
(3 hrs) 2 The Role and Importance of Ch 1-2 plus Lecture
the Paralegal/Legal Nurse Consultant review and discuss film
and other non-attorney legal professionals;
Introduction to the Study of Law –
Rules of Professional Responsibility (RPC’s)
(3 hrs) 3 Introduction to the Study of Law - Functions Ch 3-4
and sources of law, classification of the law
(3 hrs) 4 Structure of the court system Ch 5
Federal, State, Administrative, Trial v. Appellate
Administrative, Limited Jurisdiction
(3 hrs) 5 Civil Litigation and Alternatives: ADR’s, lawsuits Ch 6
(1.5 hrs) 6 Torts – Intentional Torts, Negligence Ch 12
(1.5 hrs) 6 Torts – Intentional Torts, Negligence Ch 12
(1.5 hrs) 7 Contract Law – UCC, Types of Contracts Ch 13
(1.0 hr) 7 Test #1
COURSE CONTENT:
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(CONTINUED)
SESSION SUBJECT SECTION (S)
(1.5 hrs) 7 Elements of a Binding Contract:
Offer and Acceptance Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 8 Contracts - Consideration Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 8 Contracts - Interpretation Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 9 Contracts – Defenses to Valid Contract Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 9 Contracts – Termination of Contractual Duties Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 10 Contracts – Third Party Rights Ch 13
(1.5 hrs) 10 Contracts – Damages Ch 13
Midterm Review
(1 hr) 11 Contracts – Drafting and Reviewing Contracts Ch 13
(1 hr) 11 Midterm None
(1 hr) 11 Property and Estate Law – Real Property Ch 14
(1.5 hrs) 12 Property and Estate Law – Estate Law and Ch 14
Planning
(1.5 hrs) 12 Laws Affecting Businesses – Basic Business Ch 15
Forms: Review for Mid-term
(1 hr) 13 Laws Affecting Businesses – Borrowing Money, Ch 15
Agency Law, Employment Law
(1 hr) 13 Family Law; Marriage, Parent/Child Relationship Ch 16
(1 hr) 13 Criminal Law Ch 17
(1.5 hr) 14 Criminal Procedure Ch 17
(1.5 hr) 14 Summary and Review for Final Exam
15 Final Examination
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EVALUATION
PROCEDURES: There will be one 60-minute test during the semester, which will count 20%
of grade. There will also be a 60-minute mid-term, which will count 35% of
the student’s grade and a 60-minute final examination, which will count 35%
of the student’s grade. The mid-term will be cumulative from the beginning
of the course and the final will be cumulative from the mid-term to the end
of the course. Homework assignments will count 10% of grade (which shall
include the memorandum on the films). Attendance shall be taken at each session
and is subject to the rules of the College.
EXAMINATION POLICY: If you miss a scheduled exam, you must take a make-up and be prepared to take
the exam by the first class after which the exam was administered. You will take the make-up exam on or
before the day you return to class after missing the exam. Failure to do so will be a grade of “0" (failure) on
the exam. You are only allowed one missed exam. A second missed exam will be a grade of “F” for the
course.
ATTENDANCE
POLICY: This course requires attendance and class participation to understand the
important legal concepts discussed in class. You are permitted 2 absences.
Arriving at class 30 minutes or more after the start of the class is an absence.
Your third (or more) absence results in a grade of “F” for this course.
FACULTY ABSENCE PROCEDURE: IMPORTANT
A daily listing will appear in the glass case located in the front lobby of the main building (administrative
wing) and in the Evening Office (across from the bookstore), which will indicate all classes which are canceled.
Another listing will appear in the glass case adjacent to the Hotel/Restaurant bulletin board in the Ender Hall
Building. Students should consult these bulletin boards or the college website before going to class. If such a
class does not appear on the day’s cancellation notice, this information should be conveyed either to the
Evening & Saturday Office (across the hall from bookstore – Room ) or the Department Office (W-225).
SUBMISSION OF LATE PROJECTS SHALL BE ASSESSED A QUARTER GRADE PENALTY FOR
EACH DATE THAT THE PROJECT IS LATE. ALL PROJECTS (INCLUDING HOMEWORK
ASSIGNMENTS AND ALL TESTS/EXAMS) MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEMESTER’S END FOR THE
STUDENT TO RECEIVE CREDIT FOR THE COURSE. IF ALL PROJECTS ARE NOT SUBMITTED BY
THE FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE DATE, STUDENT SHALL RECEIVE AN “F” GRADE FOR THAT
ASSIGNMENT WHICH HAS NOT BEEN SUBMITTED.
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR COURSE CREDIT AS
ASSIGNED AND REQUIRED BY THE PROFESSOR.
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS: MAY BE PROVIDED BY PROFESSOR IN BOOKLET AND HANDOUT
FORM. EACH STUDENT SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR OBTAINING A COPY OF THESE
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MATERIALS AND THE COMPREHENSION OF THESE MATERIALS.
CELL PHONES and CLASS RECORDING: CELL PHONE USE IS NOT PERMITTED IN CLASS. CELL
PHONES SHOULD BE OUT OF SIGHT AND EITHER TURNED OFF OR ON VIBRATE MODE.
RECORDING OF CLASS LECTURE IS PROHIBITED. RECORDING AND TAKING OF PICTURES IN
CLASS IS ALSO PROHIBITED.
LEGAL STUDIES NOTE: THIS COURSE IS CONSIDERED A LEGAL SPECIALTY COURSE. ALL
LEGAL STUDIES STUDENTS MUST ATTAIN A “C” GRADE OR BETTER IN ALL LEGAL SPECIALTY
COURSES AS A PREREQUISITE TO REGISTERING FOR REQUIRED COOP COURSE (LGL-462).
CLASS CONDUCT: STUDENTS ARE BOUND BY AND SUBJECT TO THE BCC CONDUCT RULES.
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