N/A. Yes. Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline.

Transcription

1 Course Outline School: Department: Course Title: Business Legal and Administrative Studies Family Law & Legal Software Course Code: OALE 246 Course Hours/Credits: 56 Prerequisites: OA 249, OA 250 Co-requisites: Eligible for Prior Learning, Assessment and Recognition: Originated by: Revised by: N/A Yes Louise Winterstein Louise Winterstein Current Semester: Summer 2015 Approved by: Chairperson/Dean Students are expected to review and understand all areas of the course outline. Retain this course outline for future transfer credit applications. A fee may be charged for additional copies. This course outline is available in alternative formats upon request.

2 Course Description This hands-on course provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in the use of MS Word and PC Law in connection with the preparation of legal correspondence, memorandum of law, and legal accounts which are used in all area of legal practice and to improve their document proofreading and formatting skills. This course will also provide the students with the background knowledge, legal terminology, and skills necessary to become familiar with the procedures and documentation used in family law practice in Ontario and to familiarize the students with Divorcemate software Program Outcomes Successful completion of this and other courses in the program culminates in the achievement of the Vocational Learning Outcomes (program outcomes) set by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in the Program Standard. The VLOs express the learning a student must reliably demonstrate before graduation. To ensure a meaningful learning experience and to better understand how this course and program prepare graduates for success, students are encouraged to review the Program Standard by visiting For apprenticeship-based programs, visit Course Learning Outcomes The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to: Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of legal correspondence and accounting procedures acquired in OALE249 and OALE219 by applying that knowledge to preparation of legal correspondence and accounting documentation using word processing, and PC Law software. Effectively use legal precedents, word processing and Divorcemate software in the preparation of neat and accurate computer-generated documents for family law proceedings by applying knowledge of cases, statutes, the Family Law Rules, legal office procedures and terminology relevant to the practice of family law in the Province of Ontario. Open, organize and maintain files in a neat, orderly and organized fashion according to procedural knowledge acquired in OALE249 and OALE250 and organized time to facilitate the completion of tasks and meet deadlines. Apply formatting, proofreading, editing, grammar and spelling skills; worked independently; and applied critical thinking skills in the production of neat and accurate legal documents and correspondence. Essential Employability Skills (EES) The student will reliably demonstrate the ability to*: 1. Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken, and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. 2. Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. 3. Execute mathematical operations accurately. 4. Apply a systematic approach to solve problems. 5. Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems. 6. Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems. 7. Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 2

3 8. Show respect for diverse opinions, values belief systems, and contributions of others. 9. Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals. 10. Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects. 11. Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences. *There are 11 Essential Employability Skills outcomes as per the Ministry Program Standard. Of these 11 outcomes, the following will be assessed in this course. Global Citizenship and Equity (GC&E) Outcomes N/A Text and other Instructional/Learning Materials Text Book(s): Previously purchased for OALE219, OALE249 & OALE250 in 3rd Semester: Procedures for the Canadian Legal Office, 7th Edition, Winterstein, Nelson Education Student Workbook for use with Procedures for the Canadian Legal Office, 7th Edition, Winterstein, Nelson Education References: The Gregg Reference Manual, 8th Canadian Edition, Sabin, Millar, Sine, Strashok, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Online Resource(s): Stapler File folders Black-ink pen Evaluation Scheme Quizzes: On-going written assesment Assignment 1: Material covered in weeks 1-4 Assignment 2: Material covered in weeks 5-10 Assignment 3: Material covered in weeks Test 1: Written assessment Test 2: Written assessment THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 3

4 Evaluation Name CLO(s) EES Outcome(s) Quizzes 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 10, 11 GCE Outcome(s) Weight/100 Assignment 1 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 10 9, 10, 11 Assignment 2 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 9, 10, 11 Assignment 3 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 15 9, 10, 11 Test 1 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 25 5, 7, 10, 11 Test 2 1, 2, 3, 4 1, 2, 3, 4, 25 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 Total 100% If students are unable to write a test they should immediately contact their professor or program Chair for advice. In exceptional and well documented circumstances (e.g. unforeseen family problems, serious illness, or death of a close family member), students may be able to write a make-up test. 10 All submitted work may be reviewed for authenticity and originality utilizing Turnitin. Students who do not wish to have their work submitted to Turnitin must, by the end of the second week of class, communicate this in writing to the instructor and make mutually agreeable alternate arrangements. When writing tests, students must be able to produce official College photo identification or they may be refused the right to take the test or test results will be void. Student Accommodation It is College Policy to provide accommodation based on grounds defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code. Accommodation may include modifications to standard practices. Students with disabilities who require academic accommodations must register with the Centre for Students with Disabilities. Students requiring accommodation based on other human rights grounds should talk with their professors as early as possible. Please see the Student Accommodation Policy. Use of Dictionaries Any dictionary (hard copy or electronic) may be used in regular class work. Dictionaries may be used in tests and examinations, or in portions of tests and examinations, as long as they are non-electronic (not capable of storing information) and hard copy (reviewed by the invigilator to ensure notes are not incorporated that would affect test or examination integrity). Program or School Policies N/A THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 4

5 Course Policies Please see ecentennial for absenteeism policy. College Policies Students should familiarize themselves with all College Policies that cover academic matters and student conduct. All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment and promotes respect and equity. Centennial policies ensure all incidents of harassment, discrimination, bullying and violence will be addressed and responded to accordingly. Academic honesty is integral to the learning process and a necessary ingredient of academic integrity. Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, and impersonation. All of these occur when the work of others is presented by a student as their own and/or without citing sources of information. Breaches of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment/course, suspension or expulsion from the college. For more information on these and other policies, please visit Students enrolled in a joint or collaborative program are subject to the partner institution's academic policies. PLAR Process This course is eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). PLAR is a process by which course credit may be granted for past learning acquired through work or other life experiences. The PLAR process involves completing an assessment (portfolio, test, assignment, etc.) that reliably demonstrates achievement of the course learning outcomes. Contact the academic school to obtain information on the PLAR process and the required assessment. This course outline and its associated weekly topical(s) may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without the prior permission of Centennial College. THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 5

6 Topical Outline (subject to change): Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Name 1 Legal Ch. 4 Ongoing: Correspondence - Letters Review 2 & 3 Legal Ch. 5 & 6 Correspondence - Memorandum of Law - Review Legal Accounts Review 4 & 5 Introduction to PC Law Ch. 5 6 Review & Test 1 Ch. 4,5,6 7 Introduction to Family Ch. 18 Law 8-10 Family Law Financial Documentation Ch. 18 understand the learning objectives and evaluation procedures for the course demonstrate production of accurate and neat legal letters employing the education and skills acquired in OALE249 and OALE219 use legal precedents and citation skills acquired in OALE249 and OALE219 in the accurate and neat production of legal memorandums of law demonstrate production of neat and accurate legal accounts using precedents, account templates, and knowledge acquired in OALE249 and OALE219 demonstrate the ability to open dockets, make time and disbursement entries, and create billing reports using PC Law Hands-on Exercises Quizzes / In- Class Exercises (10%) Assignment 1 (10%) Weeks 1-5 Written assessment Test 1 (25%) demonstrate an understanding of the areas of family law, including the legislative sources and applicable courts define and describe the various domestic contracts and terminology in family law demonstrate production of accurate and neat domestic agreements explain the purpose of Divorcemate software create client database using Divorcemate software select correct court forms using Divorcemate software open and set up family law file(s) according to procedures acquired in OALE249 using Divorcemate software for family law proceedingsdemonstrate an understanding of the purpose and contents of financial statements, net family property statements and the support deduction order information Assignment 2 (15%) Evaluation Date THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 6

7 Week Topics Readings/Materials Weekly Learning Outcome(s) Instructional Strategies Evaluation Name form and order use legal precedents and Divorcemate software to prepare neat and accurate financial documentation for family law proceedings Family Law Ch. 18 & 19 Assignment 3 Proceedings (15%) 14 Review & Test 2 Ch. 18 & 19 demonstrate an understanding of the various application documents demonstrate an understanding of the methods of service under the Family Law Rules and the affidavit of service document demonstrate an understanding of the continuing record, conferences, and other related documentation required in family law proceedings use legal precedents and Divorcemate software in the production of family law documentation Weeks 7-13 Written assessment Test 2 (25%) Evaluation Date THIS COURSE ADHERES TO ALL COLLEGE POLICIES (See College Calendar) 7