YOUR INSTRUCTOR
see information on your instructor including website, phone no. etc. http://lamission.edu/law/lawfaculty.htm

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Catalog: Law 16 is a study of the rules of civil and criminal evidence and the admissibility of such evidence in court, as well as deposition comprehension and use in court, and interrogatory summarizing and use in court.

Law 16 also introduces the student to admissibility of evidence. The student will learn how to distinguish between relevant and non-relevant evidence, hearsay, and exceptions to hearsay, and will learn to pose objections both at the time of trial, at depositions, and in answering discovery.

The student will prepare objections to the introduction to evidence, and also review transcripts for evidentiary objections.

COURSE TEXT

EVIDENCE FOR PARALEGALS 3rd edition by Joelyn D. Marlowe & Suzanne Cummins, Aspen Law & Business.
ISBN: 0735540500 , you can order the book from the bookstore on campus or online. see http://lamission.edu/law/textbooks .
                            

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. The student in Law 16 will learn to evaluate documents, and evidentiary objections to the introduction of evidence.

The student will gain an understading of the California Evidence Code, and the Federal Rules of Evidence, along with key cases, and will learn the general rules of evidence through the use of a good online Summary of Evidence Law (Emmanuel Law Summaries). The student will become familiar with various concepts of evidence - Law 16 materials

2. The student will also learn an overview of law and the legal system, , including the courts, the court system, how to read, and understand California and Federal Codes, and a general overview of substantive laws which a paralegal must be familiar with to do their job properly in the area of Evidence.

3. The student will learn to "think critically" in law, This will be accomplished through the multiple-choice quizzes, postings, and written projects. The assignments will require the student to review transcript testimony, and prepare the relevant objections to such testimony apply the general rules of evidence they learn in class. Students will also participate in a litigation project which will further develop their analytical skills in the subejct of evidence.

4. The student will learn how to do legal research in general, how to phrase a legal question or issue, and how to search for the correct "legal" answer.

5. The student will improve their writing skills and learn basic skills in legal drafting and writing.

6. The student will improve their study skills and will improve how they study law.


GRADING & EVALUATION

The class will be composed of quizzes, postings to an "electronic bulletin board" - threaded discussions, and written projects.The student should work off of the due dates for the class. The deadlines are clearly posted on the schedule. Quizzes will be posted and students are expected to fill in their answers to the multiple choice questions during a deadline period. After the time period has expired, the quiz link will no longer be available, and the student will NOT be allowed to take the quiz (certain exceptions might be made if the student emails his/her online instructor regarding exceptional family circumstances or situtations - not just "not enough time", or "late", and the instructor will decide and determine each request on the facts of the circumstances).


The "letter grade" scale is as follows.

A =  90-100 percent of total points
B =  80-89
C =  70-79
D =  60-69
F =  Below 60

Office Hours: see Faculty page at http://lamission.edu/law/lawfaculty.htm - Office Hours, Mon. - Friday 9-5 pm at the Office Telephone number of each Faculty member, or upon special appointment - email the faculty member for your appointment date and time.

Course Structure: This course will be offered through a course management system online. Students should login to the online Mission Portal at http://lamission.edu/online to locate the class and its appropriate portal.

LATE ASSIGNMENTS: ASSIGNMENTS SUBMITTED LATE WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS REQUESTED AND GRANTED BY THE INSTRUCTOR.

EXTRA CREDIT: Since the law is in constant change, along with the advent of the Internet, issues may arise that are timely and germane to our class. Therefore, opportunities may arise during the term that allow for extra credit, although no extra credit is presently offered.

INCOMPLETE: If you require a grade of "incomplete," you must advise me as soon as possible and discuss the terms of its removal.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic honesty is highly valued at Mission College, just as it is at all colleges and universities. A student must always submit work that represents his or her original words or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent the student's original words or ideas, the student must cite all relevant sources. The student should also make it clear to what extent such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citations include, but are not limited to, all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communications when the content of such communications clearly originates from an identifiable source. All submissions to any public meeting or private mailbox fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author.

Course Assignments: see assignments at http://duedates.pbwiki.com

Course Evaluation:

The final grade will be determined by: averaging quizzes, discussion questions and written assignments, each assigned 100 or more points.

Required Resources (for internet/online work)

System requirements: IBM or compatible (486/33 CPU minimum) with Windows or Mac or compatible with 6.05 operating system or higher, 8 megs of RAM, 20 megs free hard disc space, modem with a 9600 baud rate minimum.

* This syllabus is subject to change. Please note revision dates ("updated") below. Students are responsible for the most recent
updated version of this syllabus.

updated: 3-06-07