Form 2A, Page 1

FLORIDA STATE COLLEGE AT JACKSONVILLE

COLLEGE CREDIT COURSE OUTLINE COURSE NUMBER: PLA 2730 COURSE TITLE: Computer-Assisted Legal Research PREREQUISITE(S): PLA 1104 (with a grade of “C” or better) COREQUISITE(S): PLA 2114 STUDENT ADVISING NOTE: Student Must Take PLA 2730 and PLA 2114 In Same Term CREDIT HOURS: 1 CONTACT HOURS/WEEK: 1 CONTACT HOUR BREAKDOWN: Lecture/Discussion: 1 Laboratory: Other ____________: FACULTY WORKLOAD POINTS: 1 STANDARDIZED CLASS SIZE ALLOCATION: 30 CATALOG COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help students more efficiently research applicable statutes and case law, via electronic databases providers such as Lexis and Westlaw as well as explore secondary sources like legal encyclopedias and Law Reviews in an online environment. Additionally, the student will learn how to validate the authority of a case or statute using both KeyCite and Shepards. SUGGESTED TEXT: Legal Research Databases IMPLEMENTATION DATE: Fall Term, 2006 (20071) REVIEW OR MODIFICATION DATE: Fall Term, 2008 (20091) – Outline Review 2007

Fall Term, 2014 (20141) - Proposal 2013-19 Fall Term, 2015 (20161) – Proposal 2014-70

Form 2A, Page 2 COURSE TOPICS CONTACT HOURS __PER TOPIC__

I. General Overview and Scope of Class 2 A. Terms B. Pros and Cons of CALR C. Ethical Responsibilities

II. Database Resources 3

A. Westlaw B. WestlawNext C. LexisNexis Academic D. Fastcase, Loislaw, and others

III. The Search 6

A. Search Strategies B. Query Formation C. The Research Plan D. Narrowing the Search

IV. Sources 2

A. Primary B. Secondary

V. Validating the Search 2

Form 2A, Page 3 PROGRAM TITLE: Paralegal Studies (Legal Assisting) COURSE TITLE: Computer-Assisted Legal Research CIP NUMBER: 1722030200 Program Frameworks can be found at the following website: http://www.fldoe.org/workforce/dwdframe/law_cluster_frame14.asp

LIST PERFORMANCE STANDARD ADDRESSED: NUMBER(S): TITLES(S): 01.0 DEMONSTRATE KNOWLEDGE OF THE ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL

STANDARDS OF THE PARALEGAL--The student will be able to:

01.01 Define a variety of legal terms and concepts relating to professionalism and the Unauthorized Practice of Law.

02.0 DEMONSTRATE ABILITY TO UTILIZE THE LAW LIBRARY AND APPLY

KNOWLEDGE TO LEGAL WRITING--The student will be able to:

02.01 Explain the court system of the State of Florida. 02.02 List the basic steps in legal research.

02.09 Explain the difference between legal publications, treatises, and other legal writing 02.10 List the legal publications most commonly used in the practice of law. 02.16 Demonstrate the ability to use a uniform system of citing cases, and to

update and cross-reference cases. 02.18 Demonstrate the ability to locate and update legal authority using computer-

assisted legal research tools.

REPLACEMENT CLOA

Florida State College At Jacksonville

Course Learning Outcomes & Assessment

NOTE: Use either the Tab key or mouse click to move from field to field. The box will expand to accommodate your entry.

Section 1

COURSE PREFIX AND NUMBER: PLA2730 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS (CC): 1 CONTACT HOURS (NCC):

COURSE TITLE: Computer Assisted Legal Research

Section 2

TYPE OF COURSE: (Click on the box to check all that apply)

AA Elective AS Required Professional Course

College Prep

AS Professional Elective

AAS Required Professional Course

Technical Certificate

Other ATC (required) PSAV Apprenticeship

General Education: (For General Education courses, you must also complete Section 3 and Section 8)

Section 3 (If applicable)

INDICATE BELOW THE DISCIPLINE AREA FOR GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES:

Communications Social & Behavioral Sciences Mathematics

Natural Sciences Humanities

Section 4

INTELLECTUAL COMPETENCIES:

Reading Speaking Critical Analysis

Quantitative Skills

Scientific Method of Inquiry

Writing Listening Information Literacy

Ethical Judgment

Working Collaboratively

Section 5 STATE GENERAL EDUCATION LEARNING OUTCOME AREA

Communication Critical Thinking

Scientific and Quantitative Reasoning

Information Literacy Global Sociocultural Responsibility

Section 6 LEARNING OUTCOMES

Type of Outcome: Gen. Ed, Program, Course

METHOD OF ASSESSMENT

Determine the best sources of law and resources given an issue or topic. Course

Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

Plan, develop, and implement research strategies given an issue or topic. Course

Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

Refine / Narrow search terms. Course Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

Validate search results. Course Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

Demonstrate proficiency in WestlawNext and complete two online certificates.

Course Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

Identify ethical responsibilities related to computerized legal research. Course

Graded assignments and projects, with rubrics where applicable. 

 

Section 7 Name of Person Completing This Form: Nick Martino and Faith Litvack Date: 11/26/2014