Paralegal Studies

101

Introduction to Paralegalism. Overview of the role of the paralegal in the legal system. Essential skills of assertiveness, interviewing, investigation, and formal and informal advocacy are introduced. Special emphasis is given to basic legal research techniques. Students are exposed to practice areas and are required to draft basic Motions, Pleadings, and documents related to individual practice areas such as Leases, Wills, Mortgages, and financing statements. Students are introduced to ethical considerations of practice. Course provides focus for further paralegal studies.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PLG 203 recommended

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters campus only

3 credits

203

Introduction to Legal Analysis. Students are expected to master basic legal research and writing. Study will be directed at the law and the legal process, centering on an exploration of legal reasoning and legal methods. The functions of courts and legislation will be examined in the context of the development of legal rules in the common law and the interaction of case and statutory law.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in PLG 101 recommended

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters campus only.

3 credits

231

Criminal Law. The purpose of criminal law, the characteristics of particular crimes, the general principles of liability to punishment, and the negation of punishability by reason of special defense.

Prerequisite: ENG 117 or the equivalent and one of the following courses CRJ 100, CRJ, 211, or PLG 101

Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Spring semesters, odd years

3 credits

251

Criminal Evidence and Procedure. Criminal evidence and procedure and their application in trials. Topics: rules of evidence, rules of procedure, arrests, searches and seizures, use and suppression of evidence in trial, constitutional implications

Prerequisite: ENG 117 or the equivalent and one of the following courses CRJ 100, CRJ, 211, or PLG 101

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters; Distance Learning: Spring semesters, even years

3 credits

305

Legal Research and Writing. Advanced work in legal research and writing. Emphasis is on how to use the reference tools fully, including computer based legal research. Writing assignments involve complex legal drafting and persuasive writing.

Prerequisite: PLG 203, ENG 117

Expected to be offered:Fall semester campus only.

4 credits

325

Torts. Principles of the law of torts, including consideration of concepts of liability based upon fault and without fault; emphasis on negligence and compensation for industrial injuries, defense and damages. Emphasis on personal injury practice. Role of the paralegal in the practice of the substantive laws discussed.

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Summer semesters

3 credits

333

Litigation and Trial Practice. Preparation of pleadings and other documents used in trials and appeals of civil actions. Students analyze types of litigation and draft types of motions, pleadings, and discovery documents associated with a civil lawsuit based upon common fact scenarios. Explains the role of legal assistants in investigating facts and preparing pertaining documents.

Prerequisite: PLG 101, PLG 203

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Spring 2005, Fall 2006

3 credits

336

Environmental Law. This introductory environmental law course will focus on the legal regulations of pollution and waste management. The course will cover a number of federal environmental statutes, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, and the Superfund law. In studying these statutes, also considered are a number of more general issues relating to environmental regulation, including the proper goals of environmental regulation; the roles of science and risk assessment; the valuation of environmental injuries and environmental benefits; and the choice of regulatory approach, ranging from command-and-control regulation to information disclosure requirements.

3 credits

361

Commercial Transactions. Uniform Commercial Code applications to sales and secured transactions. Emphasis on UCC Articles Two and Nine.

Prerequisite: BUS 335

Expected to be offered: Spring 2006, Fall 2007; Distance Learning: Fall 2006

3 credits

364

Business Organizations. Legal aspects of business organizations: corporations, partnerships, sole proprietorships and agency law relationships. Emphasis on drafting and maintaining various forms of business organizations.

Prerequisite: BUS 335 recommended

3 credits

373

Domestic and Family Law. Legal provisions and documents pertaining to marriage, separation, divorce, communal property, child custody, child support, adoption, and other domestic relations.

Prerequisite: PLG 333

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Spring semesters

3 credits

375

Property Law. Personal and real property documents and pertaining law; mineral and energy resources, mortgages, zoning and covenants, titles, legal descriptions, and appraisals.

Prerequisite: BUS 335 recommended

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Fall 2005, Spring 2007

3 credits

376

Estate Law. Principles, provisions, and documents pertaining to wills and trusts. Includes jurisdiction of probate courts, estate and inheritance taxation, and estate planning.

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Fall 2007

3 credits

388

Psychology and Law. This course is designed to help students in the helping professions to understand the underlying assumptions of law and the legal system. The material will cover four primary areas: overview of the legal system and basic legal/ethical concerns, malpractice, domestic and family law, and civil commitment.

3 credits

392

Special Topics in Paralegal Studies.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

3 credits

396

Clinical Practicum.

Prerequisite: PLG 373, consent of instructor

Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters

3 credits

397

Field Experience in Legal Assistance. Internships designed to provide practical experience in legal settings.

Prerequisite: PLG 305, consent of instructor

Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters

3 credits

403

Negotiation and Mediation. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is the use of methods and techniques to settle disputes without court adjudication (trials). This course will discuss various types of ADR with an emphasis on Negotiation and Mediation. Students will have the opportunity to engage in simulated negotiations and mediations.

Prerequisite: Upper class standing or consent of instructor

Expected to be offered: Summer semesters

3 credits

405

Administrative Law. Introduces paralegal or government students to the processes of administrative agency rule making and adjudication. Examination of agency decision-making procedures in light of relevant statutes. Analysis of agency powers to issue regulations, penalize violators, and implement legislative goals. Discussion of constitutional and statutory limitations on agency discretion and conduct and of courts' power to review agency decisions. Federal agencies emphasized.

Prerequisite: GOV 150 or PLG 203 recommended

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Spring semesters3 credits

420

Debtor-Creditor Law. Examines basic concepts in the debtor-creditor relationship including the rights and interests of both parties in a transaction. Principles of bankruptcy stressed.

Prerequisite: PLG 333; BUS 335 recommended

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Spring semesters, even years

3 credits

424

Office Systems. Overview of forms of practice, personnel considerations, timekeeping, billing, file management, deadlines-monitoring and control, and other general office concerns.

Prerequisite: PLG 101

Expected to be offered: Distance Learning: Fall semesters, odd years

2 credits

430

Current Issues in Paralegalism. This capstone course reviews all of the major areas of substantive law as well as common legal process. The students take the Certified Legal Assistant examination for evaluation.

Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, even years

3 credits

441

Landlord-Tenant Law Workshop. Basic concepts of the law of landlord-tenant relations. Bailments, breach of contract, eviction proceedings, tenant rights and duties, and landlord rights and obligations from a case approach. Students will learn about lease forms and drafting of simple leases, commercial leasing concepts and current Montana law.

1 credit

461

Evidence and Remedies. Discussion, in a problem-oriented format, of the Rules of Evidence applicable to litigation, appellate procedures and general civil procedures. Exploration of remedies available to injured party in a contract, tort, or equity action.

Prerequisite: PLG 333

Expected to be offered: Spring 2007

3 credits

493

Legal Research Institute. Training select paralegal students in advanced legal research techniques, with emphasis upon computerized research systems.

Prerequisite: PLG 305 and consent of instructor

Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters

1-3 credits

495

Internship.

Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters

1-15 credits