PELLISSIPPI STATE TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE 
MASTER SYLLABUS
LEGAL ASPECT OF SURVEYING
 CET 2240
Class Hours: 3.0   Credit Hours: 3.0  
Laboratory Hours: 0.0   Revised: Fall 2004  
   
Catalog Course Description:    
  This course emphasizes the legal aspects of land surveying including professionalism, licensing, documents, legal definitions, and laws.
Entry Level Standards:    
  The student should be able to effectively communicate with instructor and peers, complete assignments according to instructor specifications, and read and write at the required level.
Prerequisites:    
  None
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:  
  Clark on Surveying and Boundaries, Walter G. Robillard; Michie Publishing Co.
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:    
  Week  Topic
  1 Surveyor's Duties, Rights, and Responsibility
  2 Surveyor's Duties, Rights, and Responsibility (continued)
  3 Rights and Interests in Land
  4 Rights and Interests in Land (continued)
EXAM 1
  5 Boundary Surveys
  6 Boundary Surveys (continued)
  7 Riparian Rights
  8 Riparian Rights (continued)
  9 Deed and Adverse Possession
  10 Original Surveys & Resurveys
  11 Original Surveys & Resurveys (continued)
EXAM 2
  12 Legal Definitions and Case Law
  13 Legal Definitions and Case Law (continued)
  14 Surveyor Professionalism
  15 FINAL EXAM
II. Course Objectives*:    
  A. Define the duties, rights and responsibilities of a professional surveyor.  I, II
  B. Research, read, and write legal boundary descriptions.  I
  C. Understand the importance of footstepping an original survey. I, II, III
  D. Understand legal definitions and survey case law.  I, II
  E. Function as a court witness.  II
*Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the CET program.
III. Instructional Processes*:     
Students will:      
  1. Actively listen to class lectures and participate in class activities that develop and reinforce comprehension of the theories, concepts, principles and applications of  distance measurement using surveying instruments. Communication Outcome, Problem Solving & Decision Making Outcome, Active Learning Strategies
  2. Work individually and in teams to complete lab assignments related to the theories, concepts and principles covered in the lecture portion of the course. 
Communication Outcome, Problem Solving & Decision Making Outcome,  Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategies
  3. Use WordPerfect/Word or other appropriate software to generate written home work assignments.Communication Outcome, Problem Solving & Decision Making Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Numerical Literacy Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategies
*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. Identify the legal role of the surveyor. A,B,C,D, & E
2. Explain the power of the Surveyor to fix boundaries. A,B,C, & D
3. Explain the liability of the Surveyor. A
4. Explain the integrity of the Surveyor. A
5. Explain the statutes regulating the practicing Surveyor. A
6. Write legal boundary descriptions. B
7. Research titles. B & C
8. Explain the relative importance of anchorage, bearings, distances, and monuments. B & C
9. Explain the types of deeds and the type of entitlement conveyed by each. B
10. Explain the importance of original surveys. B
11. Explain the importance of footstepping original survey.  C
12. Explain the procedures used on inaccurate surveys. C
13. Explain the procedures of Riparian right land descriptions. B & C
14. Explain navigable vs nonnavigable bodies of water. B & C
15. Explain flowage easements. B & C
16. Explain ownership of beds of bodies of water. B & C
17. Explain legal terms and definitions pertaining to land title transfers. D
18. Explain the impact of legal decisions on existing practice. D
19. Explain the role of the Surveyor as an expert witness. E
20. Describe courtroom demeanor. E
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
A. Testing Procedures:
Four examinations are scheduled.  They will be True-False, Multiple Choice, Matching, and Short Answer Essay.  Students may make up one exam due to absences.
Examinations will normally be given as scheduled.  Should a student have a planned vacation, operation, etc. occur during a scheduled exam, every effort should be made to take the exam prior to the scheduled absence.  When a student misses an exam due to illness, he must contact the instructor immediately upon return and make up the exam within one week.
B. Laboratory Expectations:
Quizzes:
Quizzes may be given by the instructor.  Most quizzes will be unscheduled and randomly given.  they cover the previous sessions material or the reading assignment for that day.  There is not make-up or extra credit given for quizzes missed.
Written Assignments:
 Students may be required to hand in answers to select questions at the end of each chapter or other appropriate homework at the instructor's discretion.  All written assignments must be handed in on 8 x 11 engineering notepad, typing paper, lined paper with smooth edges or forms provided by your instructor.  Students are encouraged to use word processing to generate their assignments.
All written assignments will be assessed a 10% penalty for each school day it is date.
All student work submitted for evaluation may be retained by the instructor.
C. Field Work:
N/A
D. Other Evaluation Methods:
A subjective evaluation based on attendance, classroom participation and attitude may be included (10%).
E. Grading Scale:
Final grades will be computed from the grades obtained on homework, quizzes and examinations as follows:
Quizzes & Homework  = 10% - 20%
Examinations   = 80% - 90%

Grades are based on the following:
91 - 100    A
86 -  90     B+
81 -  85     B
76 -  80     C+
71 -  75     C
66 -  70     D+
60 -  65     D
Below 60 F
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 (Pellissippi State Catalog).  Individual departments/programs/disciplines, with the approval of the vice president of Academic and Student Affairs, may have requirements that are more stringent.
It is the student's responsibility to attend every scheduled class activity on time. 
Students are responsible to get assignments missed and to make-up any work missed during an absence.
B. Academic and Classroom Misconduct:
Academic misconduct committed either directly or indirectly by an individual or group is subject to disciplinary action. Prohibited activities include but are not limited to the following practices: Cheating, including but not limited to unauthorized assistance from material, people, or devices when taking a test, quiz, or examination; writing papers or reports; solving problems; or completing academic assignments. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign either (1) an F or zero for the assignment or (2) an F for the course.
C. Accommodations for disabilities:
If you need accommodation 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.  Privately after class or in the instructor's office.
To request accommodations students must register with Services for Students with Disabilities: Goins 127 or 131, Phone: (865) 539-7153 or (865) 694-6751 Voice/TDD.