Delaware Technical Community College

Campus Location

Dover
Georgetown

Prerequisites

Prerequisites: SSC 100 or concurrent

Course Credits and Hours

3 credit(s)

3 lecture hours/week

0 lab hours/week

Course Description

This course provides a perspective of the legal system and specific knowledge of the present and potential role of the legal assistant within the system.

Additional Materials

None

Required Text(s)

Obtain current textbook information by viewing the campus bookstore - https://www.dtcc.edu/bookstores online or visit a campus bookstore. Check your course schedule for the course number and section.

Disclaimer

None

Core Course Performance Objectives (CCPOs)

Use basic legal terminology. (CCC 1; PGC 1)
Determine proper ethical behavior to be applied in a legal career. (CCC 4, 5; PGC 1)
Explain the stages of a civil action and the application of rules of evidence. (CCC 1, PGC 3)
Interpret basic case law, and describe the judicial decision making process. (CCC 5; PGC 4)
Apply limitations in seeking relief to factual circumstances. (CCC 2; PGC 4)
Describe remedies afforded to defendants in varying factual situations. (CCC 5; PGC 4)
Evaluate litigation concerning federal questions of law, and determine which federal court would have jurisdiction. (CCC 2, 5; PGC 4)
Explain the present and potential role of the legal assistant within the legal system. (CCC 1; PGC 1)

See Core Curriculum Competencies and Program Graduate Competencies at the end of the syllabus. CCPOs are linked to every competency they develop.

Measurable Performance Objectives (MPOs)

Upon completion of this course, the student will:

Use basic legal terminology.
1. Define legal terms pertaining to the types of law.
2. Explain basic legal concepts related to civil law.
3. Describe concepts related to criminal law.
4. Define terms commonly used in real estate law, estate law, personal property, sales, contracts, family law, and administrative law.
Determine proper ethical behavior to be applied in a legal career.
1. Define ethics.
2. Distinguish between ethics and law.
3. Give examples of ethic and unethical behavior as applied to a legal career.
Explain the stages of a civil action and the application of rules of evidence.
1. List the steps in filing a civil action.
2. Explain how evidence is presented in a civil action.
3. Discuss the legal process as it pertains to evidence.
4. Explain what is meant by preponderance of the evidence.
Interpret basic case law, and describe the judicial decision making process.
1. Identify the question or questions of law within a civil or criminal case.
2. Discuss the questions of facts that must be determined within a case before a judicial decision can be rendered.
Apply limitations in seeking relief to factual circumstances.
1. Explain the circumstances that could limit the ability to seek legal relief.
2. Discuss mootness, the act of state doctrine, the statute of limitations, and the doctrine of res judicata.
Describe remedies afforded to defendants in varying factual situations.
1. Explain the concept of relevance and materiality as it pertains to evidence.
2. Describe how evidence must be legally adequate.
3. Explain the best evidence rule and the hearsay rule.
4. Describe how privilege can be used to prevent evidence from being introduced in court.
Evaluate litigation concerning federal questions of law, and determine which federal court would have jurisdiction.
1. List the questions of law that can be heard in a federal court.
2. Determine which federal court would have jurisdiction over a case.
Evaluate litigation concerning state questions of law, and determine which Delaware Court would have jurisdiction.
1. Identify the area of jurisdiction for the state court system.
2. Determine which court or courts would have jurisdiction to hear a particular case.
Explain the present and potential role of the legal assistant within the legal system.
1. Identify career opportunities within the legal system.
2. Discuss changes likely to occur that will affect career opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria/Policies

The grade will be determined using the Delaware Tech grading system:

90-100	=	A
80-89	=	B
70-79	=	C
0-69	=	F

Students should refer to the Catalog/Student Handbook for information on the Academic Standing Policy, the Academic Integrity Policy, Student Rights and Responsibilities, and other policies relevant to their academic progress.

Final Course Grade

Calculated using the following weighted average

Evaluation Measure	Percentage of final grade
Formative - Chapter Quizzes (equally weighted)	20%
Formative - Written Assignments/Homework (equally weighted)	10%
Summative: Mid-Term Exam	20%
Summative: Final Exam	25%
Summative: Presentation	10%
Summative: Court Room Observation/Paper	10%
Formative: Class Room Participation	5%
TOTAL	100%

Program Graduate Competencies (PGCs are the competencies every graduate will develop specific to his or her major)

PLGAASPLG

Explain the present and potential role of the paralegal within the legal system.
Produce documents necessary for a functioning law office.
Comply with the profession's Code of Ethics within the legal system.
Use a range of research methods and information necessary to complete a variety of legal activities.
Apply acquired knowledge of legal specialty areas in the workplace.

Core Curriculum Competencies (CCCs are the competencies every graduate will develop)

Apply clear and effective communication skills.
Use critical thinking to solve problems.
Collaborate to achieve a common goal.
Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct.
Use information literacy for effective vocational and/or academic research.
Apply quantitative reasoning and/or scientific inquiry to solve practical problems.

Students in Need of Accommodations Due to a Disability

We value all individuals and provide an inclusive environment that fosters equity and student success. The College is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with the campus Disabilities Support Counselor to request an accommodation needed due to a disability. The College's policy on accommodations for persons with disabilities can be found in the College's Guide to Requesting Academic Accommodations and/or Auxiliary Aids Students may also access the Guide and contact information for Disabilities Support Counselors through the Student Resources web page under Disabilities Support Services, or visit the campus Advising Center.

Minimum Technology Requirements

Minimum technology requirements for all distance education type courses.

PLG 170 Intro to Legal System

Credits

Prerequisite

Course Number and Title: