PAR-1510 Introduction to Law for Paralegals

Credits 3
An overview of American law, surveying areas where paralegals may be employed. Includes the study of sources and types of laws, state and federal court systems, and the roles of lawyers and paralegals. Also includes overviews of criminal law, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution methods, tort and contract law, Constitutional law, and legal ethics. The development and application of law through analytical reasoning is emphasized. Legal research and writing skills are introduced.
Prerequisite(s): Reading Readiness.
Course Outcomes

Describe the roles, job duties, and career opportunities of paralegals within the American legal system.
Summarize the key principles of substantive and procedural law involved in the work of paralegals.
Describe the relationship between the American court system and the precedents derived from various primary and secondary sources of law.
Explain the elements of and ethical limitations upon the roles of paralegals in each stage of litigation as well as in transactional law.