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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
PARAD065Y
Course Title (CB02)
Current Paralegal Topics
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
Current developments in the substantive law in an area of legal practice; current developments in procedural law in that area of legal practice; current developments in legal forms used in that area of legal practice; the role of the paralegal in substantive and procedural law in that area of legal practice.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is in a CTE program and is CSU transferable. It was developed in response to a recommendation from the advisory board that there be a course that can be utilized to expose students to developing trends within the legal system. This course belongs on the certificate and degree programs in Paralegal Studies. This course provides the program with the opportunity to offer courses dealing with substantive legal areas of the law in response to developments or changes in the law.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Background or experience appropriate to topic or consent of instructor.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

(Not open to students with credit in PARA D065W, PARA D065X or PARA D065Z.)

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Oral
    1. Preparation for group discussion of course content
    2. Preparation for individual and/or group presentations of course material
  2. Written
    1. Evaluation of appropriate legal forms
    2. Preparation of appropriate legal forms
    3. Summaries of appropriate laws
    4. Analysis of hypothetical factual situations and legal principles
  3. Assigned readings from handouts and other sources specific to the subject matter

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Oral and written assignments where students will demonstrate knowledge of current developments in legal practice domestically as well as internationally.
  2. Midterm and final written examinations containing objective and essay questions testing knowledge of substantive law and procedure in connection with current changes in the law.
  3. Participation in class discussions and group presentations showing the students ability to discuss current trends in law or procedure.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
None.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Witkin Library, Current developments in the law at: (http://www.witkin.com/pages/recent_dev_pages/current_developments.htm)
California law revision committee at (http://www.clrc.ca.gov/ )
West's California Judicial Council Forms, December 2018 Edition, St. Paul MN, Thomson/West

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Identify, describe and analyze current developments in substantive areas of law
  • Identify, describe and analyze current developments in procedural areas of law
  • Evaluate, draft and finalize legal forms applicable to areas of law
  • Explain the role of the Paralegal in areas of law

CSLOs

  • Demonstrate an understanding of Current developments in substantive procedural law.

Outline

  1. Identify, describe and analyze current developments in substantive areas of law
    1. Overview of prior law
    2. Statutory changes
    3. Case law changes
    4. Administrative rule changes
    5. Impact of current developments on legal practice, especially its effect on diverse populations and its effect on the international legal community.
  2. Identify, describe and analyze current developments in procedural areas of law
    1. Overview of prior law
    2. Statutory changes
    3. Case law changes
    4. Administrative rule changes
    5. Impact of current developments on legal practice, especially its effect on diverse populations and its effect on the international legal community.
  3. Evaluate, draft and finalize legal forms applicable to areas of law
    1. Mandatory forms
    2. Optional forms
    3. Evaluating forms
    4. Drafting forms
  4. Explain the role of the Paralegal in areas of law
    1. Role of Attorney
    2. Role of Paralegal
    3. Role of Secretary
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