District Syllabus
PLA1003
The Legal Profession


Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
Laboratory Fee: None.
Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course.
Corequisites: There are no corequisites for this course.
Comments:
Catalog Description:
This course is designed to provide students an overview of the legal 
system including ethics, our court system, and the functions of a 
law office, and introduction to procedural and substantive law, and 
an introduction to civil trial practice.
Required Materials: Books:
  • Miller and Meinzinger. Paralegal Today, 6th ed., Cengage Learning, 2013. ISBN: 9781133591078
Supplemental Materials: -->
Special Requirements: None
Program Learning Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of the program students will:
  1. Demonstrate written skills required in a law office to communicate effectively through legal correspondence.
  2. Demonstrate an understanding of professional, ethical, and legal behavior expected of paralegals consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and organizational norms.
  3. Prepare accurate and effective pleadings and papers for filing with the court.
  4. Identify and research legal issues, analyze the applicable law, and construct a responsive and correct legal memorandum.
  5. Perform the tasks expected of a paralegal in a law office environment.
Course Learning Outcomes:
To achieve these learning outcomes the following will be performed:
Discuss the delivery of legal services and the respective roles of 
the lawyer and legal assistant.
Relate the advantages and disadvantages of specialty clusters.
Methods of Evaluation:
Evaluation of student progress towards achieving the stated learning 
outcomes and performance objectives is the responsibility of the 
instructor, within the policies of the college and the department.  
Detailed explanations are included in the expanded Syllabus 
developed 
by the instructor for each section being taught.
Flexibility: It is the intention of the instructor to accomplish the objectives specified in the course syllabus. However, circumstances may arise which prohibit the fulfilling of this endeavor. Therefore, this syllabus is subject to change. When possible, students will be notified of any change in advance of its occurrence.

Student Email Accounts: Pensacola State College provides an institutional email account to all credit students. Pirate Mail is the official method of communication, and students must use Pirate Mail when communicating with the College. In cases where companion software is used for a particular class, emails may be exchanged between instructor and student using the companion software.

Note: For students with a disability that falls under the Americans with Disability Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, it is the responsibility of the student to notify Student Resource Center for ADA Services to discuss any special needs or equipment necessary to accomplish the requirements for this course. Upon completion of registration with the Student Resource Center for ADA Services office, specific arrangements can be discussed with the instructor.

Equity Statement: Pensacola State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, religion, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or genetic information in its programs, activities and employment. For inquiries regarding the College's non-discrimination policies, contact: The Executive Director of Institutional Equity and Student Conduct 1000 College Boulevard. Building 5, Pensacola, Florida 32504 (850) 484-1759