Paralegal Studies PALG 101 – 3 Credits Introduction to Law Introduces the American legal system and government. Discusses procedural issues in the courts and specific concepts of law. Presents an overview of substantive areas of law, i.e. contracts. Explores the roles of various legal professionals and legal ethics. Students develop a solid foundation in the American legal system. Same as PRLW, and was PLAW 101, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Prerequisites: RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 and ENGL 052 or ESOL 052; or ACLT 052 PALG 103 – 3 Credits Legal Research & Writing for Paralegals Introduces students to primary and secondary sources of the law. Students develop skills to locate and analyze legal sources. Students draft basic legal writings, case briefs and legal memoranda. Student perform basic legal research in the library and on-line. Was PLAW 103, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Co-requisites: PALG 101 or PRLW 101 or PLAW 101 or LAW 101 and ENGL 101. NOTE: PALG 101 and ENGL 101 not required for Certificate students. PALG 104 – 4 Credits Law Office Practices/Legal Ethics Presents the role of the paralegal in the American legal system. Students explore law office organization and management. Presents computerized timekeeping and file management systems. Teaches ethical codes applicable to lawyers and paralegals. Was PLAW 104, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Prerequisite: RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 and ENGL 052 or ESOL 052; or ACLT 052 PALG 108 – 3 Credits Real Estate Law for Paralegals Explores laws on possession, purchase, sale, and lease of real estate. Examines estates in land, easements, and property financing. Presents litigation and landlord/tenant issues. Students research and draft operative documents, such as deeds. Was PLAW 108, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Prerequisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 109 – 3 Credits Labor Law II Builds on the student's knowledge of the National Labor Relations Act and introduces a wide variety of other workplace laws, including both federal and state statutes. Students learn the importance of political action as a method for improving workplace laws and judge the impact of new technology upon the workplace legal system. NOTE: Same as LBST 109, was PLAW 109. Earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered less than once a year. Prerequisites: RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 and ENGL 052 or ESOL 052; or ACLT 052 PALG 126 – 3 Credits Vehicle Laws and Accident Investigation Introduces Maryland and Federal vehicle laws. Discusses offenses, citation/arrest, and accident investigation. Students utilize the Maryland Automated Accident Reporting System. Teaches procedures and coding for the accident reporting system. Previously PLAW 126, same as CRJU 126, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Prerequisites: RDNG 052 or ESOL 054 and ENGL 052 or ESOL 052; or ACLT 052 PALG 128 – 3 Credits Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Examines civil rights and civil liberties within the framework of the U.S. Constitution and U.S. Supreme Court decisions. It covers the significant rights provided by the Bill of Rights as interpreted by the courts and the impact of the 14th Amendment on equal protection claims. Additionally, administrative, criminal and civil remedies for civil rights violations are discussed. NOTE: Courses offered less than once a year. Prerequisites: ENGL 052 or ESOL 052 and RDNG 052 or ESOL 054; or ACLT 052 PALG 201 – 3 Credits Practice and Procedure Explores the process of litigation and role of the paralegal. Prepares students to assist lawyers at pre-trial, trial and appeal. Provides students with skills for investigation and managing cases. Teaches discovery techniques and interviewing skills. Students draft relevant civil litigation documents. Was PLAW 201, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Pre-requisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 202 – 3 Credits Criminal Law for Paralegals Introduces the purposes and goals of criminal law. This course presents both substantive and procedural criminal law. Students analyze the elements and defenses of basic crimes. Prepares students to assist lawyers with all stages of a criminal case. Students draft operative documents for a criminal law matter. Was PLAW 202, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Prerequisite: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 203 – 3 Credits Estate Administration for Paralegals Explores the laws of estates, probate, and trusts. Reviews property ownership and the transfer of property at death. Students analyze tax issues in estate planning and administration. Students draft operative documents, such as wills and trusts. Students learn the process to probate an estate in Maryland. Was PLAW 203, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Pre-requisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 205 – 3 Credits Administrative Law for Paralegals Presents the functions of administrative agencies. Topics include due process and the Administrative Procedure Act. Teaches investigation, rulemaking and adjudication of claims. Students use administrative regulations and draft relevant documents. Was PLAW 205, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered less than once a year. Prerequisites: PALG 103, or PLAW 103 or LAW 103 PALG 206 – 3 Credits Domestic Relations for Paralegals Introduces students to Maryland's domestic relations laws. Topics covered include marriage, divorce, support, and custody. Teaches investigation and interview techniques in family law cases. Discusses laws related to adoption, paternity, and domestic violence. Students draft operative documents for family law cases. Was PLAW 206, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered less than once a year. Prerequisite: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 207 – 3 Credits Tort Law for Paralegals Introduces students to American civil law. Topic areas include negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability. Discusses defenses to tort claims and damages available. Students review court procedure in a civil trial. Teaches interviewing and investigation techniques for civil cases. Students draft operative tort law documents. Was PLAW 207, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Prerequisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103 PALG 208 – 3 Credits Worker's Compensation for Paralegals Introduces students to the statutory and practical workings of Maryland Workers' Compensation Commission through course readings and case briefings. Prerequisites: ENGL 101; PALG 101 or PRLW 101 and PALG 103 PALG 217 – 3 Credits Business Law for Paralegals Introduces legal concepts of business and contract law. Topics include contracts, UCC, agency, and business organizations. Students review and analyze transactional documents. Students draft operative business documents. Was PLAW 217, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered once a year (fall or spring). Prerequisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103 PALG 225 – 3 Credits Bankruptcy & Debt Collection Law for Paralegals Introduces debt collection and consumer bankruptcy. Topics include: Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies. Teaches bankruptcy issues from creditor and debtor perspectives. Students learn debt collection methods and reducing debts to judgment. It is recommended students to take PALG 217 before taking this course. Was PLAW 225, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered less than once a year. Prerequisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103 PALG 230 – 3 Credits Advanced Legal Research for Paralegals Presents advanced legal research skills. Develops critical thinking and analytical skills. Students write complex legal documents. Teaches relevant communication skills. This course builds upon the skills introduced in PALG 103. Was PLAW 230, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Pre-requisites: PALG 103 or PLAW 103 or LAW 103. PALG 273 – 3 Credits Internship-Legal Studies Provides academic credit for knowledge and skills learned on the job. This course requires a 135 work hour commitment from the student. Students and Internship Coordinator develop learning objectives. Teaches job interview building skills. Students develop work-place skills and employment goals. Was PALG 173, earn credit for one only. NOTE: Courses offered every fall and spring semester. Pre-requisites: CSIT 101, PALG 104, PALG 201, PALG 230, and a minimum QPA of 2.5