Thomas Edison State University | Prior Learning Assessment Course Description
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PLA Portfolio Assessment Course Subjects

Legal

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Courses 1-10 of 67 matches.
Intro to Legal Assistance   (LAW-280)   3 credits  
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Course Description
An introduction to the legal profession in general and the specific role of legal assistants and their relationship to other legal professionals. Students explore the American Legal System and are introduced to the New Jersey Court System. Students will be provided with a detailed examination of the Code of Professional Ethics and other related standards of proper conduct.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Provide a brief overview of the two legal systems in the United States and explain the similarities and differences in both systems.
  • Discuss the different levels of the New Jersey Court System and compare it to the federal system.
  • List and discuss the requirements, training, education and examinations that must be accomplished be an individual to be a legal assistant in the State of New Jersey.
  • Identify and explain the differences in what a legal assistant is allowed to perform and what an attorney is allow to perform in the legal system.
  • Provide examples as to the actual work conducted by a legal assistant working in the New Jersey legal system.
  • Explain what a legal assistant can and cannot do relating to their interaction with a client who has retained a law firm in the State of New Jersey.
  • Explain what a legal assistant can and cannot do on behalf of a client and an attorney in any legal proceeding.
  • Discuss what a legal assistant can and cannot do on behalf of a client and an attorney when dealing with other professionals relating to a client in the State of New Jersey.
  • Discuss the responsibilities of a Legal Assistant regarding to confidentiality as relates to a client's and all case information maintained by a law firm.
  • Describe in detail the Code of Professional Ethics and identify and explain its' goals and objectives as directly relates to legal assistants in the State of New Jersey.

 
Fundamentals of Legal Research   (LAW-281)   3 credits  
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Course Description
(Fundamentals of Legal Research) Fundamental principles and methods of legal research. The use of a law library, case law, statutory law, and other sources. The application of the tools of legal research to case analysis, digesting legal opinions, and writing a law office memorandum.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Identify the various methods of conducting legal research at the state and federal levels.
  • Discuss how to use a law library to locate local ordinances, zoning ordinances, state statutes, and federal codes.
  • Explain how to locate state and federal case law and legal opinions.
  • Explain what it means to Shepardize something and the various means of performing this activity.
  • Describe the various tools used to conduct legal research and perform a legal analysis of statutes, codes, and legal decisions.
  • Discuss the process of analyzing, digesting and assessing legal opinions relevant to a specific legal issue.
  • Explain the various parts that comprise a legal brief and what they are used for when conducting legal research.
  • Describe how to draft a memorandum of law regarding a legal issue.

 
Legal Research and Writing   (LAW-283)   3 credits  
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Course Description
Introduction to legal practice. Topics covered include law office systems, legal research, legal forms, pleadings, motion practice, and briefs.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Describe the various computer systems in a law office that are used to access various legal research in the areas of legal decisions at the state and federal levels, slip notes, state statutes, federal codes, Supreme Court Decisions, jury verdicts and ordinances that would be used in the attorney representing a client.
  • Discuss in detail the types of information that you would be able to obtain from legal research in items such as legal decisions at the state and federal levels, slip notes, state statutes, federal codes, Supreme Court Decisions, jury verdicts and ordinances.
  • Explain what information obtained from legal research in items such as legal decisions at the state and federal levels, slip notes, state statutes, jury verdicts and ordinances would be used for by the attorneys representing a client.
  • Describe what is meant by motion practice and then explain the level of involvement that a legal assistant can have in motion practice in the State of New Jersey.
  • Discuss what is meant by the Caption, Style, and Body of a pleading and what the purpose is for each of these as relates to motion practice.
  • Discuss what is meant by Process and Service of process and describe how it is accomplished and describe the legal documents required for these legal actions to take place.
  • Define and provide examples of Motions, Affidavits, and Notices in legal proceedings and when they are used in legal proceedings.
  • Define and discuss Defense Motions, Answers and Replies, Counterclaims, Cross Claims, and Third and Fourth Party Practice and Impleaders, and provide examples of what legal documents would be required to be drafted and used for each of these actions..
  • Identify and discuss the various types of discovery available in both civil and criminal cases and the purpose of each.
  • Define and discuss what are Pre Trial and Case Management Conferences, Consolidation and Severances, Dismissals, Trials, Verdicts, Judgments, and Post-Trial Motions and provide examples of what legal documents would be required to be drafted and used for each of these actions.

 
Law for Security Personnel   (AOJ-332)   3 credits  
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Course Description
A study of the legal problems in the private security sector. Included is a review of the powers and restrictions on "private police", e.g. , arrest, search and seizure, eavesdropping, and a comparison with the powers of law enforcement agencies. Civil liberties of private security personnel are studied as well as other aspects of civil law. Licensing Statutes are also analyzed.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Discuss the legal distinction between the authority of the police versus private security personnel.
  • Explain how "probable cause" would apply to a store security officer detaining and searching a shoplifting suspect.
  • Discuss criteria that must be present for a for a private security officer to make a legal arrest. How does the criteria differ from a police officer making a legal arrest?
  • Distinguish between civil liability and criminal liability as it relates to private security personnel.
  • Why would civil liability apply to private security personnel actions against store customers and/or employees, which are considered excessive and unreasonable?

 
Legal Aspects of Health Care Facilities   (HEA-242)   3 credits  
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Course Description
A study of the legal aspects of the patient's rights and institutional responsibilities within health care facilities. Attention is focused on jurisdiction of Board of Directors, negligence, malpractice, contracts, permits, authorizations, employer-employee relations and accountability within health care institutions. Attention will also be given to the role of the ombudsman in health care facilities. Legal Aspects of Health Care Facilities.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Demonstrate understanding of the functions and interactions between courts, legislatures, state and federal agencies and the various stakeholders in the health care services industry.
  • Assessment of the common legal issues that arise in the delivery of health services and their management.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the rights and responsibilities of health care professionals to patients.
  • Demonstrate understanding and application of legal and ethical principles to issues related to decision-making by health care providers.
  • Demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate common ethical issues related to delivery of health care.

 
Introduction to Legal Research and Writing   (LES-281)   3 credits  
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Course Description
This course is designed to provide knowledge of primary and secondary legal sources, statutes, appellate court reports (both official and unofficial), annotated law reports, statutory indexes, court rules, digests, treatises, legal encyclopedias, the Index to Legal Periodicals, Words and Phrases, Shepard's Citations, restatements and related law finders. Written and oral presentation on gathered research material, briefing cases and framing issues, all of which are designed to enhance reasoning and advocacy skills. Presentations to demonstrate problem solving, case briefing, issue framing, law library research. Demonstrate the ability to draft a legal memorandum, emphasizing original research of a fact situation, organization, and use of plain English.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of primary and secondary legal source materials including: statutes, annotated law reports, statutory indexes, court reporters, court rules, digests, treatises, legal encyclopedias, Index to Legal Periodicals, Words and Phrases, Shepard's Citations (both manual and computerized method, restatements and related law finders.
  • Prepare a legal memorandum, emphasizing analysis of a fact situation, organization and plain, well written English.
  • Demonstrate the basics of Computer Aided Legal Research (CALR) on Lexis and West Law products, as well as conducting research on the internet.
  • Exhibit an understanding of how to use on-line legal research resources.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of written language, both syntax and grammar along with the ability to organize thoughts, ideas and arguments in a logical, coherent way and express them accurately in oral as well as written form.
  • Exhibit an understanding of proper citation form according to the Blue Book Uniform System of Citation.
  • Articulate with clarity these competencies to an audience

 
Survey of Transportation Law/Freight   (OPM-323)   3 credits  
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Course Description
An analysis of the legal aspects of the transportation system. Issues include carrier liability, transportation contracts, damages, freight claim preparation, licensing, and practicing before regulatory agencies.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Explain how laws, government regulations, and industry tariffs and codes control and impact freight transportation systems.
  • Define and describe the relationship between transportation law and the following areas: carrier liability; transportation service contracts; damages and freight claims; licensing of companies, parties, and agents; and transportation shipping operations.
  • Discuss the legal ramifications and complexities involved in scheduling multimodal global transportation movements for shipping goods internationally.
  • Explain the legal and investigatory processes used by government agencies in the control and oversight of the transportation system in the United States.

 
Substance Abuse: Fundamentals Facts   (SOS-303)   3 credits  
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Course Description
A general introduction to drug abuse that covers treatment, rehabilitation, and prevention as well as legal, pharmacological. and psychological aspects.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Discuss the issue of drug abuse
  • Explain treatment methods related to drug abuse.
  • Explore the issue of rehabilitation as it relates to drug abuse.
  • Explain preventive approaches of drug abuse.
  • Discuss the legal, pharmacological and psychological aspects of drug abuse.

 
Introduction to Security   (AOJ-131)   3 credits  
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Course Description
The student will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the security officer's role in contemporary society, the security survey and its use, basic security systems, and the legal distinction between the authorities of the police versus that of private security personnel.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Describe the role of the private security officer in contemporary society.
  • Explain the distinction between contract private security and proprietary security personnel.
  • Identify information contained in a security survey that addresses exterior and interior security of a facility.
  • Discuss the purpose of the security survey.
  • Describe and summarize two types of security systems: (1) a type of security system used for interior access within a building, and (2) a type of security system used for the exterior security of a building.
  • Explain the legal distinction between the authority of the police versus private security personnel.

 
Introduction to Human Services   (HUS-101)   3 credits  
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Course Description
Provides an overview of the human services field.

Learning Outcomes
Through the Portfolio Assessment process, students will demonstrate that they can appropriately address the following outcomes:

  • Define the historical development and social values related to social services
  • Identify the ethical, professional, and legal issues concerning the human services profession
  • Define the difference between culture, ethnic group, and race
  • Identify community services and the population they serve
  • Describe the appropriate decisions for an ethical dilemma

 
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