Ursuline College Accelerated Program

Transcription

1 Ursuline College Accelerated Program CRITICAL INFORMATION! DO NOT SKIP THIS LINK BELOW... BEFORE PROCEEDING TO READ THE UCAP MODULE, YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ AND ADHERE TO ALL UCAP POLICY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS LINK BELOW CLICK HERE... LS 360 MICROCOMPUTER APPLICATIONS in LAW 8/08 by S. Robinson Division: UCAP Academic Department and/or Program: Legal Studies Catalog Number and Title: LS 360 Microcomputer Applications in Law Number of Credit Hours: 3 Course Description: The student will incorporate theoretical, practical applications, and the utilization of microcomputer technology in the legal profession and in civil litigation. The students will explore through dialogue, research, and exercises, tasks performed in the legal profession. Programs utilized include Microsoft Office Suite: Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word. Prerequisites: None Course 1. To equip the student with basic skills and a working knowledge of how computers are utilized in the legal community. 2. To expose the student to a variety of microcomputer applications that legal assistants may encounter in the work environment. a. Utilize problem solving techniques to determine the options available to accomplish a given task; b. Preparation of documents, graphics, charts, and presentation utilizing a variety of litigation software. 3. To promote a sense of professionalism and achievement in the student as required of employed legal assistants by adherence to attendance, participation, assignment due dates, and styles in which completed assignments are prepared.

2 4. To reinforce acceptable communication skills and basic work performance proficiencies as demonstrated in the student s verbal and written work. 5. To stimulate the student to become more self directed, resourceful, organized and disciplined in fulfilling work responsibilities by successfully managing the intensive course workload within the time restrictions. 6. To familiarize students with special issues of confidentiality and conflict of interest pertaining to technological advancements in the legal community. Suggested Textbooks: Brent D. Roper,, 5 th Edition YOU MUST BRING A UBS FLASH DRIVE TO EACH CLASS. Instruction Methods: 1. Classroom dialogue, including but not limited to, lectures and group discussions. 2. Research and online computer projects. 3. Computer generated assignments in a variety of Microsoft Office programs. 4. Reading assignments. Student Evaluation Techniques: 1. Assignments: 50% of final grade for the course Objectives, assignments and course materials will be delivered via the course module, syllabus and class hand outs or s from the instructor. All assignments are to be submitted in electronic format. All assignments are to be computer generated. Research and/or writing assignments are to be double spaced, MLA format. Assignments are to be submitted directly to the instructor in class or via electronic submission when appropriate. There will be one submission of the complete assignment. Assignments are expected to be submitted on the assigned due date. Assignments will be accepted no later than 7 days after the due date. Assignments received 7 days after the date due will be reduced by one letter grade unless medical documentation is offered to the satisfaction of the instructor. 2. In Class Quizzes: 10% of final grade for the course A missed quiz may be made up at the discretion of the instruction with medical documentation. 3. Attendance / Participation: 10% of final grade for the course

3 4. Final Examination: 30% of final grade for the course Students with Disabilities: Students with documented disabilities, including those with learning disabilities, may be entitled to reasonable accommodations for this course. If you would like to request testing or other accommodations because of a disability, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your situation and possible needs. Effective and timely communication will allow us to work with Ursuline College s Office of Academic Support and Disabilities Services (Mullen 312, ), if necessary to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

4 PREASSIGNMENT Preparation: Reading and Topics Chapter 1 Computers in the Law Office Chapter 2 Computer Hardware and Software Chapter 5 Database Management Systems Assignment(s): 1. Please answer the following questions fully based on your pre assignment readings. Please bring your typed responses to the first class to hand in to the instructor. 1. Discuss two ways a computer can make a legal assistant more efficient and productive. 2. Explain the difference between hardware and software. How are these concepts related? 3. Explain what is an information system. 4. How are computers being used by the courts? 5. Why is docket control and/or case management software important? 6. What legal use does the Internet have? 7. Discus the ethical considerations of keeping legal information secure. 8. What is the difference between having a word processing program in a law firm and having a law firm information system? Can the word processing program be expected to solve all the firm s computer problems? 2. Please find an article, either in a magazine or on the Internet, which discuses any issue dealing with technology and its relation to the legal field. Be prepared to present your article in the first class, giving a brief description of the article and why you found it interesting. Additionally, you will be required to hand in a copy of the article to the instructor, along with your answers to the preassignment questions.

5 CLASS I Explain what is computer software. Identify what comprises an information system. Identify two ways a computer can help in the legal environment. Discuss what comprises docket control and case management software. Include their importance in the law office. Discuss the ethical considerations related to computer hardware. Explain the functions of operating system software. Distinguish between custom made and off the shelf software. Explain what comprises a systems approach. Discuss the penalties for illegally copying software. Explain what is multitasking. Define what is a database. Explain what are fields within a database. Define a record and a table. List how databases can be used in the legal environment. Explain how to plan a database. Define the relational database. Discuss database management related ethical considerations. In Class Assignment(s): 1. In Class Quiz (based on pre assignment reading assignments) 2. Create a Client Database Table in Access and a Data Input Form Assignment (s) further details will be provided in class: 1. Design a client database. 2. Design an expert witness database. 3. Writing Assignment Read and summarize the Model Code of Ethics and Professional Responsibility for the National Federation of Paralegal Associations and identify sections that relate to computer technology in the legal field. 4. Research & Writing Assignment Paperless office summary paper.

6 CLASS II Preparation: Reading and Topics Chapter 3 Word Processing, PDF File Creation, and Document Assembly Chapter 10 The Internet and Electronic Mail Explain the word processing cycle. Describe centralized and decentralized word processing. Discuss word processing related ethical problems. Explain the various ways word processors can be used by legal assistants. Explain the different types of services the Internet offers. Discuss problems with using the Internet for research. Explain what is a listserv. Describe the difference between a subject oriented search engine and a metasearch engine. List resources for finding precise legal information on the Internet. Discuss the pros and cons of using electronic mail in a legal organization. In Class Assignment(s): 1. In Class Quiz (based on class reading assignments) 2. Create a Table in Word 3. Create a Mail Merge using Access Client Database 4. Create a Table of Authority 5. Create Template Motion using Word forms Assignment(s) further details will be provided in class: 1. Create a Template Letter or other document using Word forms 2. Create a Mail Merge using Access Expert Witness Database 3. Create Table of Authority 4. Research & Writing Assignment tips on what users can do to more efficiently use and avoid abuses and problems.

7 CLASS III Preparation: Reading and Topics Chapter 4 Spreadsheet Software Chapter 8 Electronic Discovery Discuss the tables feature. Explain what is a spreadsheet. Describe how rows and columns make up the structure of a spreadsheet. Explain what are text, values & formulas. Describe the common types of graphs found in spreadsheet programs. Explain how copying formulas can simplify the use of a spreadsheet. List and describe the ways spreadsheets can be used by legal assistants. Explain why electronic discovery is an important aspect of litigation. Identify the name that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure gives to all electronic data. Explain the purpose of the meet and confer pretrial conference parties must have pursuant to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. Discuss the duty of parties to preserve electronic information. Explain what are native and image formats. In Class Assignment(s): 1. In Class Quiz (based on class reading assignments) 2. Build a Budget Spreadsheet 3. Expand a Budget Spreadsheet Assignment(s) further details will be provided in class: 1. Prepare a Medical Bills Table 2. Prepare a Automated Trust Account Checkbook Register 3. Research & Writing Assignment E discovery case research and summarization.

8 CLASS IV Preparation Reading and Topics Chapter 12 The Electronic Courthouse, Automated Courtroom, and Presentation Graphics Describe the function of presentation graphics software. Describe the science behind color in graphic presentations. Explain the use of animation in litigation. Explain the appropriate use of presentation graphics software in the legal environment. In Class Assignment(s): 1. In Class Quiz (based on class reading assignments) 2. Prepare a Powerpoint Presentation Assignment(s) further details will be provided in class: 1. Design a Powerpoint Presentation 2. Research & Writing Assignment Poll and summarize and other legal organizations docket management systems.

9 CLASS V Preparation Reading and Topics Chapter 7 Case Management and Docket Control Software Explain what compromises a docket system. Describe how a computerized docket control system can prevent cases from being forgotten. Describe the computerized docket cycle. Explain what is case management. Discuss why docket control is important to a legal organization from an ethical perspective. IN CLASS FINAL EXAMINATION