Textbooks:

1. Wydick, Richard C., Plain English for Lawyers (Carolina Press, 1998)
   
   
2. Samborn, Hope Viner and Andrea B. Yelin, Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals, (Little, Brown, 1997).
   
   
3. A Uniform System of Citation (current ed.)

Other Materials:

1. Johnson, Berring, Woxland, Winning Research Skills, 4th Ed. (Westlaw, 1999)
   
   
2. Discovering Westlaw (Westlaw, current ed.)

Week	Unit	Topic
1	→	Introduction (3.0 hours)
2	Samborn-Chp.4, Wyrick-Chp. 1-4	Writing (1.5 hours); English Fundamentals (1.5 hours)
3-4	Samborn-Chp. 1-3, 5 Wyrick-Chp. 9	Review of Legal System (.5 hour); Research Techniques (.5 hour); Resources (.5 hour); and Cases (.5 hour)
	Westlaw-Chp. 8	Briefing (1.5 hour); Punctuation (1.5 hour)
	Westlaw-Chp. 1-2	Finding Cases (1.0 hour)
5-6	Samborn-Chp. 5 & Appendix	Citation Exercises (1.0 hour); Citation Test (3.0 hours)
	Westlaw-Chp. 3-4	Cases/Keycite (2.0 hours)
7	Samborn-Chp. 6-8, Wyrick-Chp. 6-7	Intro to Legal Memo (1.5 hour), Wording (1.0 hour) - Legal Memo 1 Assigned (.5 hour)
8-9	Samborn-Chp. 9-10, Wyrick-Chp. 8	Legal Problems in Memos (.5 hour); Organization (1.0 hour); synthesis (1.0); IRAC (3.0 hours); Language Quirks (.5 hour)
10	Samborn-Chp. 11	Review Outlining (2.0 hours)
	Westlaw-Chp. 4	Legislation (.5 hours), Draft Memo 1 (.5 hour)
11	Samborn-Chp. 12,	Persuasive Writing (1.75 hours); Memo 2 Assigned (.25 hour)
	Westlaw-Chp. 5	Adm. Law (1 hour); Memo 1 due
12		Citation Test 2 (3.0 hours)
13	Westlaw-Chp. 6-7	Citation Test 3 (3.0 hours)
14	Samborn-Chp. 11 & 13 Westlaw-Appendix	Outlines (.5 hour); Organization (.25 hour); Letter Writing (.25 hour); Draft (2.0 hours)
15	→	Memo 2 Due

1. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of legal ethics. I, III, V
2. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of computerized legal research systems. I, III, V
3. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of what constitutes primary authority in legal research. I, II, V
4. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of what constitutes secondary authority in legal research. I, II, V
5. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of how to find research tools, such as digests and citators. I, II, III, V
6. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of the importance of clarity in legal writing. I, II, III, IV
7. Develop a complete and thorough understanding of the organization of a legal memorandum. I, II, III, IV
8. Draft an objective legal memorandum that identifies issues, states the facts, discusses the law, and reaches a conclusion. I, II, III, IV, V
9. Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of persuasive legal writing. I, II, III, IV

The student 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.

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)

1. Research and Writing Projects:
   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.
   
   
2. Laboratory Expectations:  N/A
   
3. Field Work:
   Students will complete several out-of-class skills projects, described on the supplementary syllabus.
   
   
4. Other Evaluation Methods:
   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.
   
   All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format.
   
   Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions.
   
   
5. Grading Scale:

   A	93-100
   B+	88- 92
   B	83- 87
   C+	78- 82
   C	73- 77
   D	65- 72
   F	64 and below

1. 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.] (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, page 83)
   
   
2. Academic Dishonesty:
   Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, pages 62-63)
   
   
3. 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, 2004-2006 Catalog, pages 67-70)
   
   
4. Late Work:
   Late papers will not be accepted nor will make-up tests be given without specific approval of the instructor.