PELLISSIPPI STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE MASTER SYLLABUS
LEGAL CLINIC LAW 2620
Class Hours: 3.0								Credit Hours: 3.0
Laboratory Hours: 0.0								Revised: Fall 09
NOTE: This course is not designed for transfer credit.
Catalog Course Description:
		Supervised practical experience in a legal clinic environment with classroom instruction to support the clinical experience.
Entry Level Standards:
		Students should maintain professionalism at all times.
Prerequisites:
		LAW 1060; minimum 3.0 GPA in LAW courses; department approval.
Corequisites:
		N/A
Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials:
		None required
I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis:
The instructor will provide full assignment details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement.
		Week					Topic
		1					Introduction: Orientation to legal clinic; syllabus review; preparation and discussion of individual learning objectives
		2-6					Oral reports and discussion of individual clinic experiences
		7					Written reports comparing and contrasting student’s clinic experiences with individual learning objectives
		8-13					Oral reports and discussion of individual clinic experiences
		14					Discussion topic: value of paralegals to pro bono project and value of legal clinic to paralegal education
		15					Turn in hourly log, final written report, and supervisor’s evaluation
			*The instructor will provide full assignment details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement.
II. Course Objectives*:
		1.				Support and supplement the development of professional skills and knowledge in a real-world setting.  I, II, III, IV
		2.				Consistently monitor the development of on-the-job skills and knowledge.  I, II, III, IV, V
		3.				Assess the student’s overall training in Pellissippi State’s Paralegal Studies program.  I, II, III, IV, V
		4.				Demonstrate appropriate tools for locating, evaluating, and securing permanent employment opportunities.  I, II, III, IV, V
*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. Active Learning Strategy, Transitional Strategy
		2.				Perform course assignments by leading discussion of new skills acquired and career-related insights, including those of a legal or technical nature as well as those of a purely professional nature, such as communications or interpersonal skills gained from experiences, etc. that help develop critical thinking, problem solving, goal setting and planning skills. Communication Outcome,  Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		3.				Examine ethical issues related to legal representation, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, duty of legal professional to provide legal services, etc. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		4.				Participate in role-playing client relationship exercises. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy
		5.				Listen to guest speakers from the legal community to learn the demands for paralegal skills in the work world, including transition suggestions between school and employment. 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 the unauthorized practice of law.  A, D
		2.				Recognize and avoid acts that constitute the breach of client confidentiality.  A, D
		3.				Recognize potential and actual conflict of interest situations.  A, D
		4.				Describe required skills for employment interview process.  A, B, C, D
		5.				Discuss the paralegal’s role in legal aid clinic.  A, B, C, D
		6.				Demonstrate research skills by finding law applicable to assignment.  B, C, D
		7.				Describe differences between federal and state court jurisdiction.  A, B, C, D
		8.				Describe computer use in legal environments.  D
		9.				Explain the various types of employment for paralegals.  A, B, D
		10.				Perform typical duties of the paralegal in a legal aid clinic.  A, B, C, D
		11.				Demonstrate the characteristics of an effective paralegal.  A, B, C, D
		12.				Appreciate the critical importance of honesty and integrity in the legal environment.  A, B, D
		13.				Explain the role of bar associations and legal assistant organizations in developing professional standards for paralegals. C
*Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above.
V. Evaluation:
		A. Grading Procedures:
					Legal Clinic is pass/fail.  Determination is based on supervisor’s mid-term evaluation, supervisor’s final evaluation, student’s mid-term report of duties, and student’s final report of duties.
		B. Laboratory Expectations:
				Students must complete the required number of classroom and laboratory hours.
		C. Field Work:
				Students must complete a time log, periodic written reports, oral reports, presentations, and final report; and maintain professionalism at all times.
		D. Other Evaluation Methods:
				1. The instructor will provide full details the first week of class via a syllabus supplement. 2. All 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.
VI. Policies:
		A. Attendance Policy:
				Students are expected to demonstrate the same level of professionalism in the scheduled classes as they would in a law office position.  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 classes and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)
		B. Ethics:
				Nowhere are personal and professional ethics as important as in legal work, where court rules require avoiding even the appearance of unethical conduct.  Verified unethical conduct at the legal clinic site may result in removal from the clinic and an “F” in this course.
	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. . (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)
		D. Other Policies:
				Timeliness:  Due dates are crucially important in any law office.  Missing a due date can cause disastrous consequences for clients.  An equal level of professionalism will be expected regarding seminar work.  Late papers or oral presentations will not be accepted without specific approval from the instructor. Professional Appearance:  Legal Clinic occurs in the law office setting.  Students are expected to dress in a neat, professional manner at all times.  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. . (Pellissippi State Online Catalog)