Description of Courses
All courses are two credit hours.
PLST 331 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. This course provides an introduction to the function and sources of American law (including the U.S. Constitution), the American legal system and legal practice, focusing on the role of the paralegal. Recent developments, especially in regard to regulatory proposals affecting paralegals, are emphasized. The course also examines paralegal career issues. This course is required of all students in their first semester of study.
PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing I. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of legal research and focuses on locating, analyzing and updating case law. Students practice using various reference books in the law library as well as the online services (LEXIS and WESTLAW). This course is required of all students.
PLST 333 Legal Research & Writing II. This course continues to explore the variety of legal reference sources. It focuses on locating, analyzing and updating statutory and administrative law. Students practice using various reference books in the law library as well as the online services (LEXIS and WESTLAW). This course also covers basic practices in legal correspondence. Prerequisite: PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing I. This course is required of all students.
PLST 334 Legal Research & Writing III. This course reviews legal research techniques and focuses on the development of basic research strategy. Students practice analyzing legal authority in case law and statutes and learn how to develop a legal argument. One or more research memoranda are assigned; outlines and rewrites are required. Prerequisites: PLST 331 Legal Research & Writing I and PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing II. This course is required of all students.
PLST 335 Legal Ethics. This course focuses on the ethical considerations in the practice of law that paralegals are likely to encounter, especially the unauthorized practice of law, client confidentiality and conflicts of interest. Attorney and paralegal ethical codes are examined. Prerequisite: PLST 331 Introduction to Paralegal Studies. This course is required of all students.
PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts. This course introduces the principles of agency law and the six basic forms of business organizations: sole proprietorships, partnerships (general, registered limited liability and limited), limited liability companies and corporations. This course also covers the fundamentals of contract law, specifically contractual elements (contractual capacity, offer and acceptance and consideration and legality and contractual intent) and standard contractual provisions. This course is required of all students.
PLST 337 Advanced Business Organizations. This course continues the study of business organizations, focusing on preparation of government-required forms, operating agreements, articles of incorporation and by-laws, consent forms, corporate minutes, annual reports, etc. Standard due diligence procedures for corporate transactions, including mergers and consolidations, are also covered. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts. This course is required for the Corporations and Real Estate concentrations.
PLST 338 Commercial Transactions I. This course focuses on typical commercial transactions, specifically those covered by Uniform Commercial Code Article 2 (Sales) and 2A (Leases). Prerequisite: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts. This course is required is required for the Corporations concentration and may be taken before or after PLST 339 Commercial Transactions II.
PLST 339 Commercial Transactions II. This course covers Uniform Commercial Code Article 9 (Secured Transactions) and federal bankruptcy law, including Chapter 7 liquidation proceedings and Chapters 11 and 13 reorganization plans. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts. This course is required for the Corporations concentration and may be taken before or after PLST 338 Commercial Transactions I.
PLST 340 Civil Litigation I. This course introduces the civil litigation process in state (Illinois) and federal courts, and proceedings in administrative agencies generally. This course will provide students with an understanding of the structure and basic operations of these courts as well as a familiarity Of the rules of procedure governing civil litigation proceedings. This course is required for the Civil Litigation concentration.
PLST 341 Civil Litigation II. This course continues the study of the litigation process, focusing on the initial phases of that process. Students will learn to conduct client interviews and pre-litigation investigations, and to draft the pleadings initiating lawsuits and proceeding through pre-trial motion practice. This course is required for the Civil Litigation concentration.
PLST 342 Litigation III. This course covers the discovery, trial, and post-trial stages. Discovery topics include interrogatories, depositions, document production and inspection requests, physical and mental examinations, and requests for admission. Other topics include evidentiary issues, settlement negotiations, organization of case files, document control systems, trial preparation, trial procedure, and post-trial proceedings. Overviews of administrative hearings and alternative dispute resolution are also presented. This course is required for the Civil Litigation concentration.
PLST 343 Real Estate Transactions I. This course introduces the concepts of real estate ownership and then focuses on real estate sales transactions. Special emphasis is given to the preparation of documents required for residential real estate transactions: purchase/sale agreements, deeds and other closing documents, title insurance commitments and policies and surveys. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts. This course is required for the Real Estate Concentration.
PLST 344 Real Estate Transactions II. This course continues the study of real estate transactions, examining issues that arise in commercial real estate transactions and especially the documentation of these transactions. Commercial real estate leasing is also covered. Prerequisites: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts and PLST 343 Real Estate Transactions I. This course is required for the Real Estate Concentration.
PLST 345 Law Office Computer Applications. This course develops practical skills through hands-on instruction in software programs commonly used in law offices: word processing (templates, redlining, tables), spreadsheets (financial data, charts and graphs), database management (organizing, sorting and retrieving information) and presentation graphics. This course is required of all students.
PLST 346 Computer Applications for Litigation. This course develops practical skills through hands-on instruction in software programs commonly used for the litigation support in law offices. Specific uses of word processing, spreadsheet and database management software will be practiced, followed by commercial litigation support programs such as Summation and Concordance. Online resources (e.g., court websites, docket searching programs) will also be examined. Prerequisites: PLST 340 Civil Litigation I and PLST 345 Law Office Computer Applications.
PLST 348 Advanced Legal Research & Writing. This course provides additional experience in legal research and analysis, including both traditional and online resources. Students will write two memoranda in support of motions, and study the mechanics of appellate briefs. Prerequisites: PLST 332 Legal Research & Writing I, PLST 333 Legal Research & Writing II and PLST 334 Legal Research & Writing III.
PLST 349 Torts. This course introduces civil tort liability, including the intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, and product liability. The course focuses on the role of the paralegal in personal injury litigation. Students learn client interviewing techniques and practice these skills. Basic factual investigation is also covered.
PLST 350 Medical Malpractice. This course focuses specifically on negligence lawsuits brought against health care organizations and health care professionals, from both the plaintiff's and defendant's viewpoints. The emphasis is on Illinois law and rules of procedure and on practical skills for locating and organizing medical information. Prerequisite: PLST 349 Torts.
PLST 351 Intellectual Property: Patents & Trade Secrets. This course introduces the terminology, basic principles and documentation requirements of patent protection. Students examine the subject matter of patents, the concept of patentability, the patent application process and patent infringement litigation. Trade secret misappropriation is also considered.
PLST 352 Intellectual Property: Trademarks & Copyrights. This course introduces the terminology, basic principles and documentation requirements of trademark and copyright protection. Registration procedures and infringement disputes also are covered.
PLST 353 Securities Regulation I. This course deals with the federal and state regulation of securities transactions. Students learn how the stock market works and the roles of brokers, specialists and underwriters. The course focuses on the requirements for public offerings of stock, notably the registration statement and prospectus, as well as the anti-fraud provisions. Prerequisite: PLST 336 Basic Business Organizations & Contracts.
PLST 355 Estates, Trusts & Wills I. This course introduces basic principles of estate and trust administration. The emphasis is on the everyday practical aspects of administration of estates and trusts for the paralegal. Probate proceedings in Illinois will be covered, including the preparation of probate court pleadings, inventories, collection and valuation of assets, distribution of assets to beneficiaries, and accountings. An overview of tax considerations will be provided. If time allows, guardianships for disabled adults will be discussed.
PLST 357 Family Law. This course deals with the laws governing family relationships, specifically the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act and related statutes. It focuses on such practical aspects as investigation, preparation of pleadings and other documents, court procedures, settlement agreements, and post-decree modifications. A brief overview of adoption and paternity proceedings is also presented.
PLST 358 Criminal Law & Litigation. This course examines the purpose and scope of substantive criminal law, considering such topics as the elements of various crimes against persons and property, criminal liability and punishment, and defenses to crimes. Procedural topics are also emphasized, including the preparation of court forms and pleadings commonly used in the criminal trial process. Illinois law is used to illustrate these topics.
PLST 359 Environmental Law. This course surveys several major federal environmental statutes regulating air and water quality, waste management and remediation of hazardous substances (Superfund). The focus is on issues leading to enforcement proceedings. Research strategies for this technical also area are addressed.
PLST 360 Employment Law. This course provides an overview of the legal relationship between employers and employees, including the employment-at-will doctrine, employment contracts, federal and state anti-discrimination laws, and worker's compensation proceedings. Administrative procedures as well as court actions are studied.
PLST 361 Immigration Law. This course provides an overview of U.S. immigration law with an emphasis on the paralegal’s role. We will examine the legal framework of immigration law, the history of immigration law in the United States, and current policy considerations. Topics include preparation of visa applications, the admission and removal of immigrants and non-immigrants, citizenship and naturalization, and humanitarian relief. The course focuses on the development of fundamental paralegal skills, including document organization and preparation, working with clients, litigation assistance, legal research, and handling ethical dilemmas.
PLST 398 Internship. This course provides practical experience (120 hours on site) for advanced students in applying paralegal skills within selected law firms, corporate law departments and governmental agencies. Students keep a journal, participate in online discussions with other student interns and write a report evaluating their experience. Prerequisite: Consent of Director and completion of 14-16 semester hours of study. Internships are generally completed in a student's last or second-last term of study. All institute internships are unpaid and only one internship may be completed for credit toward a certificate.
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