| 12/21/2024 5:22:04 PM |
| Changed Course |
| CATALOG INFORMATION
|
| Discipline and Nbr:
PLS 52 | Title:
LEGAL WRITING |
|
| Full Title:
Legal Writing |
| Last Reviewed:5/14/2018 |
| Units | Course Hours per Week | | Nbr of Weeks | Course Hours Total |
| Maximum | 3.00 | Lecture Scheduled | 3.00 | 17.5 max. | Lecture Scheduled | 52.50 |
| Minimum | 3.00 | Lab Scheduled | 0 | 6 min. | Lab Scheduled | 0 |
| | Contact DHR | 0 | | Contact DHR | 0 |
| | Contact Total | 3.00 | | Contact Total | 52.50 |
| |
| | Non-contact DHR | 0 | | Non-contact DHR Total | 0 |
| | Total Out of Class Hours: 105.00 | Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 | |
Title 5 Category:
AA Degree Applicable
Grading:
Grade Only
Repeatability:
00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As:
Formerly:
Catalog Description:
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Students use the skills acquired in PLS 51 Legal Research course to draft legal correspondence, case briefs, legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other documents. The course emphasizes construction of clear, concise, and well-organized legal instruments.
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion of PLS 50, PLS 51 and BGN 71
Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 and Course Completion of BMG 52
Limits on Enrollment:
Schedule of Classes Information
Description:
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Students use the skills acquired in PLS 51 Legal Research course to draft legal correspondence, case briefs, legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other documents. The course emphasizes construction of clear, concise, and well-organized legal instruments.
(Grade Only)
Prerequisites:Course Completion of PLS 50, PLS 51 and BGN 71
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100 and Course Completion of BMG 52
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION
| Associate Degree: | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
| Area: | | |
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| CSU GE: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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| IGETC: | Transfer Area | | Effective: | Inactive: |
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| CSU Transfer: | Transferable | Effective: | Spring 2010 | Inactive: | |
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| UC Transfer: | | Effective: | | Inactive: | |
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| C-ID: |
Certificate/Major Applicable:
Major Applicable Course
COURSE CONTENT
Outcomes and Objectives:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:
1. Compose demand letters.
2. Compose general legal correspondence.
3. Draft pre-trial, trial, and discovery motions.
4. Prepare Memoranda of Points and Authorities.
5. Draft case briefs and legal memoranda.
6. Organize writing to produce an effective product.
7. Review, revise, and proofread documents effectively.
Topics and Scope
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1. Mechanics of Writing
a. Grammar
b. Spelling
c. Punctuation
2. Writing Strategies
a. Prewriting
b. Precision
c. Clarity
d. Readability
e. Brevity
f. Order
g. Drafting techniques
3. Legal Correspondence
a. Elements of letters
b. General correspondence
c. Demand letters
d. Opinion letters
4. Case Briefs
a. Case reading strategies
b. Format
c. Writing content
5. Legal Memoranda
a. Objectives
b. Format
c. Writing content
6. Drafting Motions
a. Types of motions
b. Elements of motions
c. Memoranda of Points and Authorities
d. Writing content
7. Post-Writing Steps
a. Proofreading
b. Reviewing and revising
c. Polishing the document
8. Internet Resources for the Legal Writer
Assignments:
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1. Read textbook and outside sources of approximately 50 pages per week
2. Study and memorize legal terminology
3. Draft general correspondence, demands, and opinion letters
4. Write citations to resources found
5. Compose case briefs
6. Compose legal memoranda
7. Draft elements of motions
8. Draft Memoranda of Points and Authorities
9. Midterm and Final Exam
Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
| Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing. | Writing
60 - 80% |
| Written homework composed of legal writing | |
| Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills. | Problem Solving
5 - 20% |
| Research procedural and substantive law | |
| Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams. | Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0% |
| None | |
| Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams. | Exams
10 - 20% |
| Midterm and final: short answers | |
| Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories. | Other Category
5 - 15% |
| Attendance and participation | |
Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Legal Research and Writing for Paralegals, by Deborah Bouchoux, Aspen Publishing, 5th edition, 2009.
California Style Manual, by Edward W. Jessen, West Publishing, 4th edition, 2000 (classic in field).
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