LAWS140 Civil Litigation and Practice
Department of Business, Innovation, and Legal Studies: Paralegal/Legal Studies
- I. Course Number and Title
- LAWS140 Civil Litigation and Practice
- II. Number of Credits
- 3 credits
- III. Number of Instructional Minutes
- 2250
- IV. Prerequisites
- LAWS100 (C or better)
- Corequisites
- None
- V. Other Pertinent Information
- This course utilizes a learning management space to supplement course materials.
- VI. Catalog Course Description
- This course provides students with an overview of the theory, procedure and mechanics of a lawsuit from fact gathering through judgment enforcement, with an emphasis on the Pennsylvania Court System.
- VII. Required Course Content and Direction
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Course Learning Goals
Students will:- Understand the structure of state and federal court;
- Identify and explain the steps of file preparation and production of appropriate documentation/evidence for use in a law office and in court;
- Compose a complaint and complete the necessary steps of revision, including interviewing and fact gathering;
- Observe and describe the steps of a civil case from the initial filing to post judgment issues;
- Summarize the ethical considerations involved in the litigation process; and
- Demonstrate an understanding of the initial and final stages of a lawsuit, including post-trial issues.
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Planned Sequence of Topics and/or Learning Activities
The following topics are presented:- State and Federal Court Structure
- Evidence
- Interviewing
- Fact gathering
- Pleadings
- Trials
- Post-trial issues
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Assessment Methods for Course Learning Goals
Exams, quizzes, classroom exercises, class or online participation, and/or projects as specified by the area faculty and described in the individual instructor's course syllabus are utilized. -
Reference, Resource, or Learning Materials to be used by Student:
See course syllabus.
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Review/Approval Date - 4/99; Revised 4/05; New Core 8/2015; Revised 12/2015