PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
ADVANCED LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING LAW 2020
Class Hours: 3.0							Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0							Revised: Spring 07
NOTE: This course is not designed for transfer credit.
Catalog Course Description:
		A study of the format and organization of legal memoranda and briefs, common writing problems, citation and computerized legal research.
Entry Level Standards:
		College-level competencies in logic, reading, and English are required.
Prerequisites:
		LAW 1050, LAW 1060
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
		Wydick, Richard C., Plain English for Lawyers (Carolina Press, 1998) Samborn, Hope Viner and Andrea B. Yelin, Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals (Little, Brown, 1997).  A Uniform System of Citation (current ed.) Other Materials: Johnson, Berring, Woxland, Winning Research Skills, 4th  Ed. (Westlaw, 1999) Discovering Westlaw, (Westlaw, current ed.)
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
		Week				Topic
		1				Introduction (3.0 hours)
		2				Writing (1.5 hours); English Fundamentals (1.5 hours)
		3-4				Review of Legal System (.5 hour);  Research Techniques (.5 hour); Resources (.5 hour); and Cases (.5 hour) Briefing (1.5 hours); Punctuation (1.5 hours) Finding Cases (1.0 hour)
		5-6				Citation Exercises (1.0 hour); Citation Test (3.0 hours) Cases/Keycite (2.0 hours)
		7				Intro to Legal Memo (1.5 hours), Wording (1.0 hour) - Legal Memo 1 Assigned (.5 hour)
		8-9				Legal Problems in Memos (.5 hour); Organization (1.0 hour); synthesis (1.0);  IRAC (3.0 hours); Language Quirks (.5 hour)
		10				Review Outlining (2.0 hours) Legislation (.5 hour), Draft Memo 1 (.5 hour); Review Outlining (2.0 hours)
		11				Persuasive Writing (1.75 hours); Memo 2 Assigned (.25 hours) Adm. Law (1 hour);  Memo 1 due
		12				Citation Test 2  (3.0 hours)
		13				Citation Test 3  (3.0 hours)
		14				Outlines (.75 hour); Organization (.75 hour); Letter Writing (1.0 hour); Draft Memo 2 (3.5 hours)
		15				Memo 2 Due
II. Course Objectives*:
		A.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of legal ethics.  I, III, V
		B.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of computerized legal research systems.  I, III, V
		C.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of what constitutes primary authority in legal research.  I, II, V
		D.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of what constitutes secondary authority in legal research.  I, II, V
		E.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of how to find research tools, such as digests and citators.  I, II, III, V
		F.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of the importance of clarity in legal writing.  I, II, III, IV
		G.			Develop a complete and thorough understanding of the organization of a legal memorandum. I, II, III, IV
		H.			Draft an objective legal memorandum that identifies issues, states the facts, discusses the law, and reaches a conclusion.  I, II,  III, IV, V
		I.			Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of persuasive legal writing.  I, II, III, IV
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the Paralegal Studies program.
III. Instructional Processes*:
Students will:
		1.			Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, good manners, etc. Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		2.			Refine their writing skills and expand their legal vocabularies through completion of weekly guided writing exercises that allows them to communicate more effectively with lawyers, legal professionals, and clients. Communication Outcome, Transitional Outcome, Active Learning Strategy
		3.			Carry out course assignments such as team discussions, team case studies, experiential exercises, oral, written, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Westlaw, Internet skills development, etc. that help develop a respect for diversity. Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		4.			Take part in course assignments such as team discussions, team case studies, experiential exercises, oral, written, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Westlaw, Internet skills development, etc. that help develop teamwork, leadership, and followership skills. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		5.			Perform course assignments such as team discussions, team case studies, experiential exercises, oral, written, PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Westlaw, Internet skills development, etc. that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, goal setting, and planning skills. Communication Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		6.			Listen to guest speakers from the legal community to learn the demands for clear legal writing in the law office. Transitional Strategy
*Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference TBR’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process.
IV. Expectations for Student Performance*:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to:
		1.			Recognize and avoid acts that constitute unethical behavior.  A
		2.			Write legal prose which is direct, concise, and clear.  F, I
		3.			Recognize the passive voice and convert it to active voice.  F, I
		4.			Prepare office correspondence.  F
		5.			Prepare letters of representation for each client.  A, B, D, E, G
		6.			Draft legal pleadings.  A, F, I
		7.			Draft memoranda in support of motions.  A, B, E, F, G, H, I
		8.			Research primary authority.  B, C
		9.			Research secondary authority. B, D
		10.			Formulate a query for computerized legal research.  B
		11.			Shepardize cases on Westlaw.  B
		12.			Search databases on Westlaw.  B
		13.			Maneuver between databases on Westlaw.  B
		14.			Sign on and off Westlaw and use client identifiers.  B
		15.			Save and print Westlaw research results.  B
		16.			Prepare an office memorandum effectively communicating research of legal issues.  B, C, D, E, F, G, H
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Testing Procedures:
				Students are evaluated primarily on the basis of research and writing projects.   The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement
		B. Laboratory Expectations:
			N/A
		C. Field Work:
			Students will complete several out-of-class skills projects, described on the supplementary syllabus.
		D. Other Evaluation Methods:
			1. Class participation, group work, and homework will also comprise the final grade for the course.  The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement. 2. All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. 3. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions.
		E. Grading Scale:
			A       93-100  B+     88- 92  B       83- 87  C+     78- 82 C       73- 77 D       65- 72  F       64 and below
VI. Policies:
		A. Attendance Policy:
			Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  [NOTE:  No differentiation is noted for excused/unexcused absences.  These will be treated as an absence.]
		B. Academic Dishonesty:
			Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities.  As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course.  [NOTE:  No differentiation is noted for excused/unexcused absences.  These will be treated as an absence.]
	C. Accommodations for disabilities:
			If you need accommodations because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately. Please see the instructor privately after class or in his/her office. Students must present a current accommodation plan from a staff member in Services for Students with Disabilities (SSWD) in order to receive accommodations in this course. Services for Students with Disabilities may be contacted by going to Goins 127 or 131 or by phone: 694-6751(Voice/TTY) or 539-7153.
		D. Other Policies:
			Late papers will not be accepted nor will make-up tests be given without specific approval of the instructor.  Computer Usage Guidelines: College-owned or -operated computing resources are provided for use by students of Pellissippi State.  All students are responsible for the usage of Pellissippi State’s computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner.