PARALEGAL COURSES (PRLGL)
PRLGL 110 - INTRODUCTION TO PARALEGAL
Prerequisite: ENGL 110 with a "C" or better, or equivalent, and department approval. This course examines the legal assistant in the legal system and overviews the skills required of this type of work. Reference is made to legal terminology and Illinois procedural and substantive law.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 112 - LEGAL RESEARCH I
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course orients the student as to the use and contents of the law library, i.e., legal publications, treatises and other legal writings encountered in the practice of law.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 113 - LEGAL RESEARCH II
Prerequisite: PRLGL 112 with a grade of "C" or better and department approval. This course examines the purposes, forms, organization, design and language of legal writing and engages the student in the analysis and resolution of the issues presented by the law and the facts. The writing of appellate briefs, research and argumentative memoranda, as well as advisory letters is emphasized.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 114 - FAMILY LAW
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course studies the marital relationship including: formation, annulment, separation and dissolution (divorce). Consequential considerations are covered such as child custody and support, maintenance (alimony), property settlement and some of the tax consequences. Other matters included in the course are adoption, paternity and the rights of family members. These topics are viewed in the light of Illinois law. The student participates in the completion and drafting of various forms and other documents.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 115 - WILLS, TRUSTS AND ESTATE ADMINISTRATION
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course informs the student of concepts in and the mechanics of will and trust preparation and estate administration and provides exercises appropriate to the duties of a legal assistant.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 116 - CIVIL LITIGATION
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course is a study of major steps in preparation for filing of and defensive pleadings for civil lawsuits; discovery; trial preparations, trial and post-trial matters; and ancillary matters. Appropriate reference is made to Illinois law. Exercises are provided.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 117 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course provides the student with an overview of administrative law, including agency rule-making and adjudication with specific emphasis on the processing of workers compensation cases under the Illinois Workers Compensation Act and federal social security practice.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 118 - LAW OFFICE MANAGEMENT
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course provides the student with exposure to practice-oriented contemporary topics of law office management. In addition to studying the organization, politics, employment law and the procedures of a law office, students will be introduced to and given an opportunity to utilize law oriented computer software applications in classroom exercises. Students will be exposed to exercises designed to provide exposure to the skills utilized by a paralegal in file management, time keeping and billing, docket management and developments in computer based legal research and document movement.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 120 - MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY FOR PARALEGALS
Prerequisite: Department approval. The course presents paralegal students and paralegals with the opportunity to acquire competency with medical terminology and gain experience with practical legal applications for medical terminology. Paralegal students can take this course as an elective; paralegals can take this course as part of their continuing legal education.
2 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 2 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 121 - PARALEGAL ETHICS AND PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Prerequisite: Department approval. This course is an in-depth review of the cannons of professional responsibility, including case study projects. The emphasis is on the duty of paralegals and lawyers to act so as to serve a client´s interests best, to do so in an ethical manner, and to advance the interests of justice. Paralegal students can take this course as an elective; paralegals can take this course as part of their continuing legal education.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 141 - CURRENT LAW TOPICS
Prerequisite: PRLGL 110 with a grade of "C" or better or department approval. This course provides the student with exposure to practice-oriented contemporary topics of law. In addition to studying the recent changes to the law, students will be exposed to exercises designed to provide exposure to the skills utilized by a paralegal in each area of the law covered within the semester. Repeatable up to a maximum of three semester hours of credit.
1 Credit Hour (OC) - Lecture Hours: 1 to 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 159 - PARALEGAL PRE-INTERNSHIP
Prerequisite: Twelve credit hours of PRLGL courses. This course is designed to enable students to understand and prepare for the internship experience. Students will explore internship and legal career opportunities, develop job application skills, review expectations of professionalism, office procedures, and ethical responsibilities, and select potential internship placements in each student's areas of interest. Students are required to complete this course prior to enrolling in PRLGL 260 Paralegal Internship.
1 Credit Hour (OC) - Lecture Hours: 1 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 215 - BUSINESS ORGANIZATION AND PRACTICE
Prerequisite: Prerequisite: Department approval. This course is intended to provide a guide to knowledge and practical exercises in the paralegal's function in the day-to-day legal representation of business clients. The course focuses on simulated activities expected of a paralegal in a law office environment and discussion of the substantive law and procedural tasks involved in the formation and maintenance of various business entities and related business transactions. The course is presented by way of class discussion and related simulations and class assignments focusing on corporate formation, financial structure, meeting shareholders' rights and liabilities, changes in corporate status, as well as on such related topics as trademark registration, file maintenance, and drafting business transactional documents. The first portion of the course focuses on organizational matters with a focus on the creation and organization of a state- specific resource binder in which the student will adapt checklists to meet state requirements, as well as compile relevant state statutes, frequently used telephone listings, filing fee information, and state-specific forms. The second portion of the course will focus on client matters.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 3 Laboratory Hours: 0
PRLGL 260 - PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP
Prerequisite: Admission to the paralegal program; completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours of program classes and department approval. This course involves student trainees who are employed at an approved training station with a program of training scheduled by joint agreement of the student, supervisor, and program coordinator. Special assignments including case studies and/or supplementary reports are required.
3 Credit Hours (OC) - Lecture Hours: 1 Laboratory Hours: 15