Idaho State University Undergraduate Catalog 2000-2001

Office Technology

2 to 4½ Semester Program Options

Program Coordinator and Instructor: Larson

Instructors: Campbell, Christensen, Enos, Ketterman, Priddy, Spinner, Stroud and Staff

Four certificate options and four Associate of Applied Science Degrees which require 49-90 credits as listed below are available. Students who demonstrate adequate academic skill to succeed in the occupational content courses of the program will be given an "S" grade for OT 100 and OT 101. They will not be required to attend the initial semester. Course exemption may be granted on the basis of meeting course objectives. Program length will vary depending on the student's academic qualifications at time of acceptance.

A grade of "C" or better in all courses of a chosen option is required for graduation. If a "C" or better is not achieved in a required class, the student may repeat the class only one time.

Accounting Clerk

(2 1/2 Semesters)

Required Courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 149       Accounting Clerk Office 
             Applications                       2 cr
OT 151       Office Procedures and
             Interpersonal Skills               3 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 49 cr

Administrative Office Technology

(3 Semesters)

Required Courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboarding Skillbuilding          1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 151       Office Procedures and
             Interpersonal Skills               3 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
OT 176       Desktop Publishing/Multimedia    1-3 cr
OT 199       Special Topics                   1-8 cr
                                        TOTAL: 64 cr

Legal Office Technology

(2 to 3 Semesters)

Required courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 152       Legal Terminology and 
             Office Procedures                  7 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 57 cr

Medical Office Technology

(3 Semesters)

Required courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
HO 106       Medical Terminology                2 cr
HO 202       ICD9-CM Coding                     3 cr
HO 203       Medical Office Procedures          4 cr
HO 204       Medical Transcriptions             4 cr
HO 205       CPT and Alternative Care Records   3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 63 cr

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Administrative Office Technology

(4 to 4½ Semesters)

Required Courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 115       Practicum                        1-3 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 151       Office Procedures and 
             Interpersonal Skills               3 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
OT 176       Desktop Publishing/Multimedia    1-3 cr
OT 199       Special Topics                   1-8 cr
OT 201       Office Resources Management        3 cr
MANT 121     Essentials of Management           3 cr
MANT 240     Legal Environment                  3 cr
COMM 101     Principles of Speech               2 cr
ECON 100     Economic Issues                    3 cr
ENGL 101     English Composition                3 cr
ENGL 102     Critical Reading & Writing         3 cr
PSYC 101     Introductory Psychology I          3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 90 cr

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Legal Office Technology

(4½ Semesters)

Required courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 115       Practicum                        1-3 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             1 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 152       Legal Terminology and
             Office Procedures                  7 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
OT 202       Introduction to Legal Research
             and Writing                        3 cr
MANT 121     Essentials of Management           3 cr
MANT 240     Legal Environment                  3 cr
COMM 101     Principles of Speech               2 cr
ECON 100     Economic Issues                    3 cr     
ENGL 101     English Composition                3 cr
ENGL 102     Critical Reading & Writing         3 cr
POLS 101     Introduction to
PSYC 101     Introductory Psychology I          3 cr
             American Government                3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 86 cr

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Office Technology

(4½ Semesters)

Required courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education     1-16 cr
OT 115       Practicum                        1-3 cr
OT 118       Business Communications I          3 cr
OT 119       Business Communications II         3 cr
OT 120       Bookkeeping                        3 cr
OT 122       Machine Transcription              3 cr
OT 123       Applied Business Mathematics       3 cr
OT 140       Keyboard Skillbuilding             3 cr
OT 144       Document Processing                3 cr
OT 145       Advanced Document Processing       3 cr
OT 170       Introduction to Computers          3 cr
OT 171       Computerized Bookkeeping           3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics    3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                 3 cr
HO 105       Introduction to 
             Allied Health Careers              2 cr
HO 106       Medical Terminology                2 cr
HO 107       Medical Law and Ethics             3 cr
HO 202       ICD9-CM Coding                     3 cr
HO 203       Medical Office Procedures          4 cr
HO 204       Medical Transcriptions             4 cr
HO 205       CPT & Alternative Car Records      3 cr
COMM 101     Principles of Speech               2 cr
ECON 100     Economic Issues                    3 cr
ENGL 101     English Composition                3 cr
ENGL 102     Critical Reading & Writing         3 cr
PSYC 101     Introductory Psychology I          3 cr
                                        TOTAL: 88 cr

Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies (4 Semesters)

Required courses:

OT 100       Technical General Education    1-16 cr
PARA 110     Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 cr
PARA 111     Ethics and Professionalism        1 cr
PARA 210     Fundamentals of Legal Research      
             and Analysis                      3 cr
PARA 211     Fundament of Legal Writing        2 cr
PARA 212     Pre-Trial Civil Litigation 
             and Procedure                     3 cr
PARA 213     Trial and Post-Trial Civil 
             Litigation and Procedure          3 cr
PARA 218     Introduction to Records and      
             Information Management            3 cr
PARA 220     Paralegal Internship              4 cr
MANT 121     Essentials of Management          3 cr
MATH 123     Math in Modern Society            3 cr
ENGL 101     English Composition               3 cr
ENGL 102     Critical Reading & Writing        3 cr
COMM 101     Principles of Speech              2 cr
POLS 101     Introduction to Am. Government    3 cr
PSYC 101     Introductory Psychology I         3 cr
             OR     
SOC 101      Introduction to Sociology         3 cr
CIS 101      Introduction to Computer Systems  3 cr
             OR
OT 170       Introduction to Computers         3 cr
CIS 101      Introduction to Computer Systems  3 cr
             OR
OT 170       Introduction to Computers         3 cr

Fifteen credits from any of the following courses:
PARA 112     Estates, Wills & Trusts           3 cr
PARA 113     Contract Law                      3 cr
PARA 114     Family Law                        3 cr
PARA 115     Property Law                      3 cr
PARA 116     Tort Law                          3 cr
PARA 117     Criminal Law and Procedure        3 cr
             OR 
POLS 249     Introduction to Criminal Law      3 cr
PARA 118     Business Organizations            3 cr
PARA 214     Environmental Law                 3 cr
PARA 215     Debtor/Creditor Rights 
             and Bankruptcy Law                3 cr
PARA 216     Administrative Law                3 cr
PARA 217     Constitutional Law                3 cr
PARA 219     Special Areas of Records   
             and Information Management        3 cr
MANT 240     Legal Environments                3 cr
             OR 
MGT 261      Legal Envir. or Organization      3 cr

Three credits from one of the following courses:
AMST/HIST 111 U.S. History I (to 1865)         3 cr
AMST/HIST 112 U.S. History II (to present)     3 cr
BIOL 100     Concepts of Biology:Human Concerns4 cr
ENGL 110     Introduction to Literature        3 cr
GEOL 100     Survey of Geology                 4 cr
HUM 101      Survey of Humanities              3 cr
PHIL 101     Introduction to Philosophy        3 cr
SPAN 101-102 Elementary Spanish                8 cr
                                        TOTAL:79 cr

Elective courses:

ACCT 201     Principles of Accounting I        3 cr
COUN 210     Human Relations at Work           3 cr
FIN 303      Principles of Real Estate         3 cr
LIBR 121     Introduction to Library Use       2 cr
OT 144       Document Processing               3 cr
OT 173       Spreadsheets, Database,Graphics   3 cr
OT 174       Records Management                3 cr
POLS 303     Federal Indian Law                3 cr
POLS 304     Tribal Governments                3 cr
SOC 231      Juvenile Delinquency              3 cr
SOC 250      Women, Crime and Corrections      3 cr

Courses

Students who demonstrate adequate academic skill to succeed in the occupational content courses of the program will be given an "S" grade for OT 100 and OT 101 and will not be required to attend the initial semester.

For course descriptions of the academic course required A.A.S. degrees see the College of Arts and Sciences.

Technical General Education Elective

TGE 140 First Year Seminar 1 credit. This course provides an introduction to the nature of postsecondary education and a general orientation to the functions and resources at Idaho State University. This course is designed to help first-year and transfer students adjust to the University, develop a better understanding of the learning process, and acquire essential survival skills. The course utilizes presenters from various campus support systems, collaborative learning activities, and written assignments which involve student resources and activities on campus. The course also provides a support group of students in a critical transition year by examining problems common to first-year experience. It covers University resources, learning strategies, study techniques, test anxiety, time management, test preparation, and problem solving.

OT 100 Technical General Education 1-16 credits. The basic mathematical skills of fractions, decimals, percents, proportions are reviewed. Also, for technical fields, beginning algebra through the application of the quadratic equation is studied. An experiment-based science class that emphasizes development and application of equations and problem-solving techniques is taught. Communication skills, critical thinking and basic technical writing are stressed.

OT 115 Practicum 1-3 credits. This is a pass/no pass course designed to offer students on-the-job experience through internships, cooperative training, externships, workstudy, or other on-site work experience modalities. Permission by instructor is required.

OT 118 Business Communications I 3 credits. This course is designed to provide the foundation for effective business communications. The focus will be on spelling, grammar, punctuation, and the established standards of usage while emphasizing their importance in the business world.

OT 119 Business Communications II 3 credits. This course is designed to provide communication skills necessary to speak and write clearly in business environment. The course will focus on proofreading, editing, composition, oral and listening communications, basic research, and employment methods. PREREQ: OT 118 must be completed with a "C" grade or better.

OT 120 Bookkeeping 3 credits. Covers the entire bookkeeping cycle for sole proprietorship bookkeeping. Includes journalizing, posting, financial statements, payroll and closing procedures.

OT 122 Machine Transcription 3 credits. Concentrated use of transcribing unit; advanced transcription from recorded media on business correspondence. This course emphasizes and reinforces a review of punctuation, word study, spelling, formatting guidelines, and proofreading mailable copy. PREREQ: OT 118, 119 and 144.

OT 123 Applied Business Mathematics 3 credits. Review of basic mathematics with emphasis on application of basic mathematical models to assist in business decision-making.

OT 131 Shorthand I 3 credits. Introduction to the principles of shorthand, including the shorthand alphabet, brief forms and phrasing. Develops the student's ability to read shorthand and to take dictation at a minimum of 50 words per minute.

OT 132 Shorthand II 3 credits. Puts shorthand theory to work to build speed and accuracy in dictation and transcription. Student should achieve a minimum speed of 80 words per minute. PREREQ: OT 131. Student must have completed or be enrolled in OT 144.

OT 140 Keyboard Skill Building 1 credit. This is a Pass/No Pass class designed to enhance student's keyboarding skills. Emphasis is on mastering the keyboard, developing good keyboarding techniques, and building speed and accuracy. PREREQ: 25 nwam.

OT 141 Keyboarding 3 credits. This is a Pass/No Pass tutorial class covering the keyboard and basic typing skills. Develops the student's ability to type at a minimum rate of 35 net words a minute.

OT 144 Document Processing 3 credits. This course builds basic word processing competencies. Emphasis is placed on learning word processing functions, developing basic formatting skills, and learning document production such as letters, memos, reports, and table functions. Participants will develop competency with hands-on experience utilizing word processing software. PREREQ: 25 nwam.

OT 145 Advanced Document Processing 3 credits. This course emphasizes advanced word processing proficiency and focuses on productivity and mailability in document production. Emphasis is also placed on work habits and communication skills. PREREQ: OT 144.

OT 149 Accounting Clerk Office Applications 2 credits. Course in which student creates and prepares financial documents covering payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and financial statements. PREREQ: OT 118 must be completed with a "C" grade or better; 120,123,144 and 170.

OT 151 Office Procedures and Interpersonal Skills 3 credits. This course prepares student for office duties and responsibilities, develops interpersonal skills, and explores career opportunities. PREREQ: OT 118 must be completed with a "C" grade or better.; OT 144, 173, & 174.

OT 152 Legal Terminology and Office Procedures 7 credits. Prepares students to handle legal dictation and transcription, to set up legal files and business records, to execute legal forms and to follow through on procedures relating to a wide variety of actions. This course is offered in the spring semester only. PREREQ: OT 118 must be completed with a grade of "C" or better. Student must have completed or be enrolled in OT 119, 122; and 145.

OT 170 Introduction to Computers 3 credit. This course is designed to provide the student with basic concepts, vocabulary, and working knowledge required to use a computer. The class will consist of weekly lectures/labs utilizing computers to understand concepts, operating systems, and software application such as word processing, database, spreadsheets, E-mail/Internet, and integrated projects that are used in the business environment. PREREQ: 25 nwam

OT 171 Computerized Bookkeeping 3 credits. This course is designed to offer the student the opportunity to experience hands-on microcomputer bookkeeping procedures, generate reports, and analyze financial statements. PREREQ: OT 120, 144, and 170, or permission of instructor.

OT 173 Spreadsheets, Graphs, and Database 3 credits. This course is designed to acquaint users with the process of using personal computers to utilize spreadsheet analysis, graphs and database management. PREREQ: OT 170 and 144.

OT 174 Records Management 3 credits. This course covers basic filing methods and the storage, protection, retrieval, use, and disposal of records in the form of paper documents, computer disks or tapes, or microforms. PREREQ: OT 144 and 170.

OT 175 Computer Applications I 3 credits. This course is designed to allow students to complete simulated projects utilizing a variety of computer applications. Permission of instructor is required.

OT 176 Desktop Publishing/Multimedia 1-3 credits. This course introduces the student to the use of presentation software and various software and various multimedia technology to format documents including brochures, catalogs, newsletters, advertisements, forms, and to design web pages and multimedia presentations, etc. Student must have completed or be enrolled in OT 145.

OT 199 Special Topics 1-8 credits. This course is designed to address the specific needs of individuals. It will enable the students to upgrade their technical skills through part-time enrollment in units of instruction that are currently available through the program's full-time employment curriculum. Permission of the instructor is required.

OT 201 Office Resources Managements 3 credits. This course will provide students with tools for supervising people and technology in the rapidly changing office. This course is intended to improve students' promotability in the office environment and will cover the use of management and presentation software. Other areas of focus will be on the selection of software and hardware, troubleshooting and basic computer/network maintenance, and improving quality and productivity in the office. PREREQ: OT 151 or permission of instructor.

OT 202 Introduction to Legal Research and Writing 3 credits. This course will utilize the use of law references and computerized research tools to develop research skills for the legal office assistant in the preparation of briefs, memoranda, and other documents relative to the law office environment. PREREQ: OT 152 or permission of instructor.

HO 105 Introduction to Allied Health Careers 2 credits. Introduction to allied health careers emphasizing the interrelationships and the team approach to health care.

HO 106 Medical Terminology 2 credits. Body systems approach to theory and application of medical terms including anatomical, pathological, surgical and diagnostic as well as appropriate abbreviations.

HO 107 Medical Law and Ethics 3 credits. Principles and application of law to health care organizations and personnel, standards of care and liability; covers tort, contract and statutory law.

HO 202 ICD-9-CM Coding 3 credits. Principles and application of coding for statistical and reimbursement purposes utilizing the International Classification of Diseases. PREREQ: HO 106.

HO 203 Medical Office Procedures 4 credits. Specialized preparation for work in medical offices, hospitals, clinics, insurance offices and public health agencies. Theory as well as manual and computer applications for scheduling, insurance form preparation and review, day sheets and periodic reports.

HO 204 Medical Transcription 4 credits. Transcription of a wide variety of medical reports including History & Physical, Discharge Summaries, Operative Reports, Consultations, Emergency Room, Obstetrics, Pathology, Autopsy, Radiology and others. PREREQ: HO 106.

HO 205 CPT and Alternative Care Records 3 credits. Principles and application of coding for statistical and reimbursement purposes utilizing Physicians' Current Procedural Terminology in conjunction with documentation standards, format and content of alternative care records. PREREQ: HO 106.

MANT 121 Essentials of Management 3 credits. This is an introductory course in management theory and practice. Management is presented as a discipline as well as a process. Major topic areas will include the evolution and scope of management, decision making, planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The international aspects of management will also be considered.

MANT 240 Legal Environment 3 credits. This course IS NOT designed to make anyone a lawyer nor is it designed to make anyone a legal expert. All that this course proposes to do is to make people in all areas of business aware of the dangers that do exist and to help them to know when competent legal advice becomes necessary.

PARA 110 Introduction to Paralegal Studies 3 credits This course introduces students to the legal system and the paralegal profession. Areas covered include the legal system and the role of a paralegal in providing legal services; fundamental skills required of paralegals and the tasks they perform; administration of a law office; computer technology in the paralegal profession; regulation of paralegals and paralegal ethics; and paralegal employment opportunities. A survey of the major substantive areas of the law is presented, with a summary discussion of the paralegal's role in each area. Legal terminology will be learned throughout the course.

PARA 111 Ethics and Professionalism 1 credit. This course addresses ethical standards that govern paralegals and attorneys in the performance of their job and examines different forms of regulation in the legal profession. The unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality of information, conflict of interest, and other ethical concerns are covered in depth. Other topics of study include common billing practices and fee arrangements, client trust accounts, filing and calendaring systems, and the documentation of client files.

PARA 112 Estates, Wills and Trusts 3 credits. This course introduces estate planning through the use of wills and trusts. Students learn what an estate is and the types of property interests that comprise it; the rules of testate and interstate succession; and the requirements for drafting and executing a valid will. The Uniform Probate Code is emphasized, including formal and informal probate proceedings and the administration and closing of estates. Students are introduced to trusts and guardianships, and learn the requirements for drafting a valid trust. Focus is on the role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting estate planning.

PARA 113 Contract Law 3 credits. In this course students will study basic principles of contract law, including capacity, formation, conditions, enforcement, statute of frauds, performance and breach, remedies, defenses, and third-party rights. Portions of Articles 2 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code will also be addressed. The role of the paralegal ingathering information, researching, and drafting contract documents is emphasized.

PARA 114 Family Law 3 credits. This course instructs students in the law governing marriage, prenuptial agreements, marital property, divorce, child custody and support, paternity, termination of parental rights, adoption, and other matters relating to domestic legal rights. The role of the paralegal in the area of domestic law is emphasized.

PARA 115 Property Law 3 credits. Principles of law governing the ownership, conveyance, and encumbrance of real and personal property are addressed in this course. Students will learn the different interests in property, including leases, licenses, liens, easements, remainders, life estates, and others. The regulation of land use through public and private restrictions is discussed. Students are instructed in proper drafting of deeds, leases, mortgages, foreclosure and eviction documents, and will become acquainted with legal descriptions, recording statutes, title searches, appraisals, and other concepts unique to property law. The role of the paralegal in gathering information, researching, and drafting documents is emphasized.

PARA 116 Tort Law 3 credits. Fundamental concepts of tort law _ intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and product liability and the elements necessary to prove each tort are covered in this course, as well as the defenses to and damages recoverable for a tort claim. Personal injury litigation and worker's compensation will be discussed in depth. The role of the paralegal in this area of law is emphasized.

PARA 117 Criminal Law and Procedure 3 credits. This course addresses the statutory and common law crimes against person, property, and society, the elements required to prove a crime, and the defenses available to a defendant. Procedure topics include the constitutional and statutory standards for searches, seizures, arrests, interrogation and other law enforcement practices, plea negotiation, trial, sentencing, and appeal. Students will learn how to conduct a preliminary factual investigation, draft pre-trial discovery requests, motions, and jury instructions, and other duties essential in criminal law practice.

PARA 118 Business Organizations 3 credits. This course explores the basic types of business organizations, including corporations, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships. Areas covered are: the formation and operation of business and nonprofit corporations; the drafting of articles of incorporation and by-laws; annual meeting and reporting requirements; shareholder and director rights and obligations; corporate crimes, torts, and ultra vires acts; rights and remedies of corporate creditors; dissolution of corporations; the formation and operation of a partnership, limited partnership, and limited liability company and the rights and obligations created thereunder; termination of partnerships and limited liability companies; and the formation and operation of a sole proprietorship. The role of the paralegal in drafting documents and maintaining records for business organizations will be emphasized.

PARA 210 Fundamentals of Legal Research and Analysis 3 credits. This course introduces the basic elements of legal research and analysis. Students will earn different sources of the law and fundamental techniques for finding specific legal topics using traditional research methods in a law library and computer technology. The development of rudimentary skills for identifying and analyzing legal issues and for formulating logical and practical legal arguments is emphasized.

PARA 211 Fundamentals of Legal Writing 2 credits. This course will address the skills necessary to communicate effectively in writing by using proper sentence and paragraph structure, diction, and the correct use of nouns and verbs. Students will draft a legal memorandum, litigation documents, legal correspondence, transaction documents, and other types of legal writing. Related skills of planning, research, fact gathering, legal analysis and organization are also developed.

PARA 212 Pre-Trial Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 credits. In this course students are introduced to the pre-trial litigation process, including the initial client contact, factual investigation, identification of claims and issues, preliminary legal research, preparation and filing of pleadings, motion practice, discovery, document production and control, alternative dispute resolution, and settlement. The rules of civil procedures will be emphasized at each stage of litigations. Course materials are based on a fictional civil lawsuit and students will perform the tasks of a paralegal at every stage of pre-trial litigation.

PARA 213 Trial and Post-Trial Civil Litigation and Procedure 3 credits. This course begins where Pre-Trial Civil Litigation and Procedure (PARA 212) ends. Students continue with the fictional civil lawsuit beginning at a point sixty days before the trial date. Areas covered will include preparation of witnesses, jury instructions, trial notebooks, assistance at trial, post-judgment motions, appeals, and collection. The rules of civil procedures are emphasized at each stage of litigation. Students will perform the tasks of a paralegal at every phase of trial and post-trial litigation. PREREQ: PARA 212.

PARA 214 Environmental Law 3 credits. This course introduces federal and state laws governing the preservation, regulation and use of public and private lands for the protection of the environment and natural resources. The co-regulatory relationship between the federal and state governments and the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the federal government will be examined. Students are introduced to key environmental legislation, including NEPA, RECRA, CERCLA, FIFRA, TOSCA, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water act, and the Endangered Species Act. Emphasis is placed on the paralegal's role in information gathering, research, monitoring and documenting compliance with environmental legislation.

PARA 215 Debtor/Creditor Rights and Bankruptcy Law 3 credits. This course introduces the fundamentals of law relating to business transactions, debtor/creditor relations, consumer protection, and bankruptcy. Students learn the difference between secured and unsecured transactions, the rights and remedies available under Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code and other statutes, and the types of relief afforded under different chapters of the Bankruptcy Code. The paralegal's role in drafting commercial documents and completing forms will be emphasized.

PARA 216 Administrative Law 3 credits. In this course, the basic tenets of administrative law are explored including legislative delegation and limitations on agency authority, due process of law, agency action, rule making, acquiring and disclosing information, agency decision makers and decisions, administrative hearings, and judicial review. Emphasis is placed on the paralegal's role in information gathering, research, monitoring and documenting compliance with administrative rules and regulations.

PARA 217 Constitutional Law 3 credits. Fundamental precepts of constitutional law—federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances—are examined, as well as individual rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. The function of the federal courts as interpreters of the Constitution is analyzed. Emphasis is given to the role of the paralegal in constitutional law cases.

PARA 218 Introduction to Records and Information Management 3 credits. In this course students are introduced to theories and principles that underlay the field of records and information management. Areas covered include: the scope of records management; overall system design; records center operations; records inventory and analysis; records retention programs; records classification systems; records maintenance and control; records storage and retrieval systems; electronic records management; active and inactive records management; and image technology for document management. The role of the paralegal in records and information management will be emphasized.

PARA 219 Special Areas of Records and Information Management 1-3 credits. This course if comprised of three sessions covering special substantive areas in the Records and Information Management field: retention scheduling and disposition of records; disaster prevention and recovery; and media management and system selection. Each session will meet three hours per week for a five-week period. Students may elect to take one or more sessions for one credit per session.

PARA 220 Paralegal Internship 4 credits. In this course students acquire practical experience in doing the job of a paralegal in the workplace. It is arranged on an individual basis.



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Revised: February 2000