Curriculum: Bachelor of Science in Law & Paralegal Studies

PRFS 1001 is a first-year experience course to help students to transition to campus successfully. It focuses on helping students to navigate campus resources, develop academic habits and soft skills such as critical thinking and time management, and apply their knowledge and skills to successfully transition to UC and college life. Students in this course are also paired with academic coaches and meet one-on-one throughout the semester.

This course offers an introduction to the United States legal system, the concept of legal reasoning, and the ethical considerations arising in the practice of law. The course examines the structure and functions of the state and federal judicial systems, civil and criminal procedure andthe substantive areas of contractual law and tort law. The course will focus on the history of our judiciary and its impact on our society. Students will be encouraged to analyze legal theories and make applications of research findings to their lives. Critical analytical skills will be developed by focusing on concepts such as liberal or conservative bias, and judicial activism.

This course provides an understanding of the law library, including computer assisted legal research. Students will learn to use a variety of primary and secondary research material, as well as their organization, and inter-relationships. Skill in researching various legal problems will be developed and students will learn basic legal writing skills.

English Composition 1001 is a writing-centered course that emphasizes the careful reading, analytical thinking, and persuasive strategies inherent in researching and writing within an academic community. Students learn that rhetorical knowledge is the basis of composing while learning to write with purpose, audience, context, and conventions in mind. Students develop rigorous academic research practices: how to locate and evaluate primary and secondary sources relevant to their line of inquiry and position their own ideas in conversation with public writing. Students also engage in regular self-reflection: articulating what they know, what they can do, and how to apply their knowledge and skills in various contexts.

Students must select a quantitative reasoning (QR) course.

Student must select one technology & innovation (TI) elective.

This course will provide the student with an overview of computer technology applicable to law office management, document production, scheduling(including docket control), litigation support and case management software (relational databases). This course includes hands-on computer assignments utilizing various legal software packages commonly used in the legal and business community. It is designed to train paralegals with the theoretical and practical skills to enable them to work in legal environments that utilize computers.

This course will provide an introduction to the principles of Family Law including the history of marriage, and the rights and obligations arising from a marital relationship. Consideration will begiven to validity of marriage, divorce, cohabitation, the financial consequences of the ending of a family relationship, the resolution ofdisputes involving children and protection from domestic violence. Theoretical questions such a "what is a 'family'" will be examined with a focuson human behavior, society's values, and overall policy goals. Students will analyze statutes and apply them to factual situations. This will include the determination of child support and spousal support awards, valuation of property, property division and settlement.

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This course introduces the principles of and practice in composition and presentation of speeches. Topics include speaker and audience relationship, organization of speeches, active listening skills, use of appropriate language, use of technology as an enhancement of speech, managing speech anxiety and developing a natural verbal and nonverbal delivery style.

Student will select a fee elective.

This course will provide an introduction to the civil litigation process from the initial investigation through its completion. Students will be introduced to the functions of the federaland state court systems and to the concepts of jurisdiction and venue. Students will gain experience reading and understanding the Ohio and Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the local rules of several courts. Students will learn how, when, where, and why a civil lawsuit may be initiated. During the course, the role of paralegals in the civil litigation process and theskills needed by litigation paralegals will be discussed. Students will be introduced to pleadings and to motion practice, and will have the opportunity to draft pleadings used in civil litigation.

This course covers Ohio real estate law, including basic contract law as it applies to real estate transactions, estates and interests in real estate, types of ownership, documents required and used to facilitate real estate transactions, real estate purchase and sale financing, proof of title, agency license law, control and regulation of land, landlord-tenant law, fair housing, control and regulation of land, and decedents.

This course reviews the substantive law and practical implications for paralegals of agency, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, and sole proprietorships in a business environment. The course is designed to acquaint the student with the formation, formal structure, processes, and operations of corporations and other business entities.

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Student must select one natural science (NS) elective.

Students will learn the various components of the civil trial process, and the paralegal's role in that process, in a hands-on, skills-based approach. The course will focus on the traditional discovery process, electronic discovery, the evidentiary rules, trial preparation and process and the appellate process. The course will address the role of paralegals in the civil litigation process, the ethical considerations and skills needed by litigation paralegals.

An introduction to basic wills and trusts conceptsand an examination of the law and procedure of preparing wills, administration of estates and general probate procedure. There will be a discussion and practice exercises in the areas of wills, living trusts, testamentary trusts, and taxplanning topics involving the marital deduction and the annual exclusion. The drafting of wills and trusts, preparation of probate documents, filing procedures, asset collection, estate management, and closing procedures will be covered. In addition, the course will introduce the student to patients' rights in health care decision making, entitlement programs, managed care and long-term care insurance, living facilities for the elderly, financial planning, social security, and elder abuse.

This course presents concepts of administrative law and procedure in governmental agencies with emphasis on the paralegal's role in the process. Students will be introduced to the classifications of government agencies, how agencies get their authority to make and adjudicate rules, the limits of government agency authority, and the procedures for appealing agency decisions. Particular emphasis is placed on the following administrative agencies: Social Security, Immigration Ohio Workers Compensation, and the Ohio Department of Job & Family Services.

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Intermediate Composition is a writing-centered course that builds on what students learn in first-year composition and focuses students’ attention on theoretical underpinning of how meaning is made, understood, and communicated within and across various discourse communities and genres. The course emphasizes critical reading and writing, advanced research and analysis skills, and rhetorical sensitivity to differences in academic, professional, and public composing. This course challenges students to engage in substantive projects drawing on primary research and source analysis methods and asks students to document, communicate, and reflect on their research.

This course is an in-depth study of principles, methods, and investigative and interviewing techniques utilized to locate, gather, document and disseminate information. The emphasis will be on developing interviewing and investigative skills intended to prepare paralegals to communicate effectively and ethically. Students will also study the rules of Evidence as it relates to preparation of a case for trial including exhibits; the trial process, preparing witnesses for testimony; and motions to exclude evidence.

This class will examine the way the legal system handles children in the family, school, the child welfare system, the juvenile justice system, and political life. We will explore children as legal subjects having unique vulnerabilities, relationships, developmental needs, capacities and interests. We will also look at how children vary based on their age, stage of development, influences from childhood trauma, etc. Specific topics include developmental stages, parental rights; the age of majority; surrogacy; children born while their mother is incarcerated; bullying; free speech in school; school discipline; removal and foster care; juvenile delinquency; children as witnesses; special needs children, the Indian Child Welfare Act; and immigration rights for children. Students will be required to prepare a memorandum at the end of the semester on a related topic from our studies.

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Student must select one Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) or Society, Culture, and Ethics (SCE) elective.

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The course material will include the constitutional aspects of criminal procedure. It will specifically examine the appellate process, the history and development of due process, the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, rules of arrest, pre-trial identification, bail, sentencingand interrogation.

Student will select a free elective.

Students will build upon practical legal research and writing skills learned in Legal Research & Writing I & II. They will develop their ability toput into written form results derived from identification/analysis of legal documents, pleadings, memorandums of law or briefs.

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Student will select a free elective.

This is an advanced paralegal course to challenge the student to integrate their knowledge of theoretical concepts and practical application of legal research, litigation, property, torts. contracts and business law through case analysis and the completion of writing assignments.

Student must select one Fine Arts (FA) or Historical Perspectives (HP) elective.

Student will select a free elective.

Student will select a free elective.

This course examines the development, interpretation and application of substantive criminal and procedural law and the impact it has on our society. Students will learn the elements of major crimes and defenses. Students also will examine the constitutional aspects of criminal procedure and how societal norms and perceptions influence the interpretation of the constitution. The course will focus on constitutional changes inareas such as searches, seizures and arrests; interrogation; sentencing; and appeal. The course will focus on fundamental individual constitutional protections.

This course will provide a basic understanding of the principles of bankruptcy law. It will include an introduction to the substantive and procedural law of consumer and business bankruptcy. It will provide practical, hands-on instruction as to local bankruptcy practice and the paralegal's role.

This course covers the full range of federal employment law and other federal laws effecting employment, and some areas of state employment lawsuch as workers' compensation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of critical thinking about the effect of these laws on the conduct of business. Landmark legal cases will be studied and discussedwith the goal of illustrating the impact of employment law and the pitfalls which they pose. Real time issues from newspapers and magazines will be discussed in order to illustrate the prevalence of employment law issues in the conductof business.

Special Topics in the Law is an elective course inthe Paralegal Program. Topics covered and the particular configuration of assignments will vary from semester to semester. Students will be equipped to compare the advantages and disadvantages of the various research methods usedin the selected topic field. Students will be encouraged to analyze social theories and make applications of research findings to their lives. Students will develop their writing skills by doing a series of carefully structured writing assignments with considerable feedback and guidance from the instructor. All writing assignments are required to be clear, well organized, and to demonstrate appropriate English language usage. Formal writing assignments will utilize memorandum format style for citations and references taught in PARA1012 & 1013. The topic ofthe paper will be based on student interests, course material, and consultation with the instructor to arrive at research questions appropriate for academic inquiry. Students must obtain approval from the Paralegal Program Director prior to enrolling in this course.

This Study Abroad class is an elective course in the Paralegal Studies Program and may apply as a diversity and culture course in other disciplines/programs (contact your discipline/program advisor). The course consists of intensive language classes specific to each participant's level of ability, culture lectures and full cultural immersion with a home-stay. No previous Language knowledge is required as the classes will be tailored to individual needs. The study abroad portion will last for approximately 8to 11 day in the target country and will include meetings with various representatives from the judicial branch of government as well as other government offices. The course will allow studentsthe opportunity to truly engage in the culture of living in a foreign country as well as experience the intricacies of the Legal System in the target country. The home-stay gives a perspective that cannot be duplicated with classroom instruction.

Students will become acquainted with the role of law and lawyers/paralegals in environmental issues. After an introduction to legislation, regulation, and the courts, students will learn the framework of regulation in specific environmental areas. Areas to be covered include air and water pollution, land use, solid and hazardous waste, recycling, natural resources, energy, environmental impact analysis, environmental health and safety, and internationalenvironmental regulation.

This course concentrates on federal income taxation of Individuals. It introduces students tothe income tax rules and regulations pertaining toindividuals, while enhancing an awareness of the complexities and sources of tax law. Emphasis willalso be on ethical issues surrounding federal tax.

This is an introductory course in the specialty field of Health Care Law. The student will learn how legal and social institutions interact with life and death issues. Areas of study may include legal problems of the elderly, law and mental health, AIDS and the law, health care financial and delivery systems, federal vs. state law, the privatization of health care facilities, and the marketing of health care providers. The course will also focus on the ethical questions of healthcare and public policy

This course involves the study of business practices and legal principles applicable to the entertainment and sports industries. The course will emphasize practical application of those principles and practices in negotiation and litigation. Topics will include the antitrust environment of the sports and entertainment industries, Title IX in college athletics, antitrust control, and ownership of creative work and compensation

Provides historical study of the development of intellectual property law in the United States. Emphasizes the role of the paralegal in preparing applications for patent, copyright, and trademark protections with federal and state governments. Provides an overview of the role of the paralegal in preparing for litigation involving intellectualproperty law issues. Reviews ethical issues that arise in the intellectual property arena.