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... LM 400 Legal Marketing, Finance & Accounting School: Professional Studies Academic Department and/or Program: Legal Management Catalog Number and Course Title: LM 400 Legal Marketing, Finance & Accounting Number of Credit Hours: 3 Catalog Course Description: A study of legal marketing with emphasis on ethical considerations, client relations and media issues. Focus on legal accounting and finance, including billing, timekeeping, partnership accounting, cost recovery, tax ramifications, and reporting considerations. Prerequisite Courses: LM 350 Legal Management; MGT 370; Managerial Accounting Term and Cycle: Summer (Every Year or Every Other Year Dependent on Need) Instructional Objectives: Knowledge The student will: 1. Identify and discuss marketing strategies utilized by law firms to create a competitive advantage. 1

2 2. Recognize the ethical considerations pertaining to legal solicitation and advertising. 3. Describe the uses of technology to enhance marketing effectiveness.. 4. Identify accounting procedures utilized in a law office. 5. Discuss financial concepts as related to the law firm, including financial reporting and issues related to partnership tax returns. Skills The student will: 1. Examine marketing promotion and public relations strategies from a legal management perspective. 2. Analyze solicitation strategies considering ethical guidelines. 3. Apply accounting procedures for year end financial reporting. 4. Construct an operating budget using revenue and expense projections. 5. Analyze billing, timekeeping, and collection processes. Attitudes The student will: 1. Show awareness of the importance of ethical decision making in relations to law office management. 2. Appreciate the unique qualities of the "business of law." 3. Be sensitive to the fiduciary relationship between a law firm and its clients. Values The student will: 1. Desire to develop value-based decisions as related to law office marketing. 2. Establish a foundation of ethical principles as related to law office finance. 2

3 Need: 3. Actively participate in the use of technology in law office marketing and finance. Legal Managers must have a basic understanding of the professional services that support law offices, including marketing, finance and accounting. This course approaches marketing and finance as interrelated functions necessary to efficiently run the operations of a law firm. Suggested Textbooks/Suggested Reading Walston-Dunham, Beth. (2008). Accounting and Tax Principles for Legal Professionals. (1st Edition). Cliffton Park, New York: Delmar Cengage Learning. ISBN: X. Hornsby, William. (2000). Marketing and Legal Ethics: The Boundaries of Promoting Legal Services (3rd Edition). Chicago, IL: American Bar Association. ISBN: Teaching/Learning Methods Methods of Instruction: Reading assignments. Examination of material from different perspectives in classroom lecture and discussion. In addition, it is anticipated that the instructor will utilize an online course management system to increase student engagement and effectiveness of the material. Special Facilities, Equipment and Materials Utilized: Computer and internet access. Assignments and Activities In order to address multiple diverse learning styles, each student will be required to complete a variety of assignments and activities to ensure that each student has an opportunity to succeed in learning the course material. Students will be exposed to different types of learning approaches: individual (independent) work, paired work and team work. It is important to note that numerous research studies have shown that working in collaboration with others improves critical thinking, as well as oral and written communication abilities. In addition, when compared to traditional independent learning, team-based learning empowers students to understand concepts more thoroughly and to retain them for longer extended periods of time. 3

4 This course has three types of primary assignments: individual assignments (IAs), learning team assignments (LTAs), and threaded discussion questions (TDQs). Each is explained below. Individual Assignments (IA): The following are the individual assignments for this course: Selected Readings: Students will be required to complete weekly textbook readings. Research Papers: Each student will write a research paper based upon a topic to be determined. Papers should be a minimum of 3 to 5 pages in length (unless otherwise noted in the session outline) and incorporate materials covered in online lectures, textbook readings, discussions, and research from a minimum of four external sources. Each paper should have a cover page and reference page and follow the APA style formatting. Papers will be assessed using the Research Paper Rubric. Projects: Students will participate in a team project and presentation based upon a topic to be determined. Presentations should be created in PowerPoint (10 to 30 slides) with a duration of 20 minutes but no longer than 30 minutes and incorporate materials covered in lectures, textbook readings, and discussions. PowerPoint presentations must be submitted after the presentation. Presentations and PowerPoints will be assessed using the Project Rubric. Learning Team Assignment (LTA): An important part of this course is participation in learning teams. Learners are expected to work effectively in diverse groups to complete tasks. Learners are expected to participate as both leaders and followers. Learning Team members will employ the integrity, social responsibility, and ethical behavior required for a diverse democratic society. Learning Teams are responsible for its own group management and issue resolution. All Learning Team members will earn the same grade for their collective work and participate in a course ending peer assessment. The course project is threaded through the course. Project-based assignments provide you with the opportunity to translate your knowledge into practice, apply industry related experiences, and demonstrate your command of course outcomes. The course project will include any or all of the following components: Research, communication, critical thinking/problem solving, leadership/collaboration, ethics/diversity, and information/technology literacy. You should approach each project-based component with the goal of achieving a level of quality that would be expected in the professional work environment. At the end of the course each student will assess his/her own participation in the learning team and will also assess each of the other group members. The Peer/Self Assessment rubric will be used. 4

5 IMPORTANT: Please note that the instructor reserves the right to add or substitute an assignment in any given week if there is a current event that is relevant to the course material. Any additions will be posted in the Announcement section of our Educator course web site before that week s session begins. Please refer to the Guidelines for Working in Teams located in the General Student Information folder under Course Materials in Educator. Threaded Discussion Question (TDQ) Assignments: A "threaded discussion" is a discussion forum that allows one user to begin a discussion by entering a message that can be read by other users (original post), who can then add their own comments in response to the original message. Other users can then add their responses to these comments. Thus, the discussion is "threaded" as one comment leads to another and another. Unlike chat rooms and other "real-time" interaction forums, threaded discussions do not require different users to be logged on at the same time. Instead, an individual can enter and contribute to a threaded discussion at any time, responding to a message posted a day or even weeks earlier. Each week, students will have assigned discussion statements or questions. Questions will be available for students to post their primary posting by and are due no later than at the end of each week. Each student is required to answer each question by initiating an original response (called a primary posting). Each original post must be a minimum of 250 words and incorporate concepts from lectures, textbooks and supplemental readings which should be highlighted in red and cited at the end of the posting. Each student must post secondary responses to two or more of their colleague's posts for each discussion question with a minimum of 150 words or more by the end of each week. Secondary responses should also incorporate concepts and theory from textbook and supplemental readings. Students are encouraged to embark on collaborative discussions in addition to the required secondary postings. Instructors will be participating in these discussions as well. Assessment is via the Threaded Discussion Rubric. IMPORTANT: The instructor reserves the right to change a threaded discussion assignment in advance should a current event emerge that is relevant to the course material. Any changes will be posted in the Announcement section of our Educator course web site before that week s session begins. All original responses to discussion questions (or TDQs) should be posted by the end of the week that they are due. With the exception of Week 1, all primary responses posted 5

6 AFTER the due date will be considered late and will lose grade points accordingly. Secondary responses to other students primary postings are to be posted throughout the week. All discussions will be locked at the end of the week so that students can move on to the next week s topic(s) and assignment(s). Plan for assessment of objectives (outcomes) Methods for evaluation of student work: Marketing/Advertising Assignments 30% Accounting/Finance Projects 30% Online Treaded Discussions 10% Examination 30% Specific benchmarks for evaluating student progress: Marketing/Advertising Assignments 30% - Evaluation Law Firm Marketing Campaign o Analytical research paper evaluating law firm marketing campaign o Evaluated by Assessment Rubric for Written Assignments - Creation of Law Firm Marketing Strategies o Application of reading material and class discussion Accounting/Finance Project 30% - Finance Project: Budget projection, financial reporting, and financial analysis. Application of forecasting, reporting and analysis to construct a law firm operating budget. Online Threaded Discussions 10% - Evaluated by Threaded Discussion Rubric - Participation Rubric Examination - Marketing and Finance in the Law Office 30% 6

7 Grading Scale: A C B D B D C F < 70 Participation: Participation in the online classroom via the discussion board is mandatory. Students are expected to post their primary posting to discussion questions during the first three days of each week and secondary responses to other students postings by the end of each week on a minimum of two separate days. In addition, students are responsible for monitoring responses to their own primary postings throughout the week. It is advisable for students to log into the classroom on a regular basis in order to participate in online discussions. Discussion Forums are locked at the end of each week so that students may begin to focus on the next week s assignments and discussions. Primary and secondary postings after the due dates noted above will be considered late (see Late Assignments section below). IMPORTANT: Secondary responses are essential for the online learning environment. Any student who does not participate in secondary discussions for one or more weeks will automatically lose one letter grade for each missed week regardless of total points. Late Assignments: Late assignments will not receive grade points by the instructor. In the case of a medical, personal, or professional emergency, the student must contact the instructor in advance whenever possible and discuss potential approval for late assignment submission due to extreme circumstances. Other Course Policies Technical Emergencies: Students must plan on alternative access to the virtual classroom. Not having access to the Internet from home (or work) will not be considered an acceptable excuse for not logging into and participating in class discussions or submitting materials in a timely manner. Students can use computers at a local library, work, friend or family members house, or the campus computer lab. Disability Accommodations: Students with documented disabilities are entitled under the law to reasonable accommodations. If you have a disability and need accommodations, please notify the instructor as early as possible during the semester. Academic Honesty: Plagiarism or cheating of any kind will result in a zero on the assignment and may result in a failing grade for this course. Students may not collaborate on assignments unless specifically instructed. 7

8 Detailed Course Outline or List of Specific Topics Covered: I. Overview of Legal Marketing a. Advertising b. Solicitation c. Public Relations and Media d. Ethical Considerations e. Electronic Marketing and Technology II. Accounting & Finance in the Law Office a. Role of Accounting b. Financial Reporting c. Budgeting d. Forecasting e. Income Determination 8

9 Tentative Class Schedule Date and Time Learning Activities Homework Assignments Session 1 Discussion Topics: Overview of Legal Individual Assignment: Read Chapters Marketing, Rules and Ethics 1, 3, 4, and 9 Discuss Research Paper and Final Project Session 2 Online Research and Discussion Session - Complete the Following: 1) Threaded Discussion #1 > Note: Response Due Date is by 9:00 AM the Day Before Class Discussion Topics: Boundaries of Lawyer Advertising, Solicitation, Public Relations and Promotions, and Marketing Through New Technologies >Note: Submit Draft of Individual Research Paper for Review (optional) Online Research and Discussion Session - Complete the Following: 1) Threaded Discussion #2 > Note: Response Due Date is by 9:00 AM the Day Before Class Individual Assignment: Submit a Threaded Discussion Response to Case Study Question Individual Assignment: Begin Research for Individual Paper and Final Project after Team Responsibility is Determined Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 5, 6, 7, and 8 Individual Assignment: Submit a Threaded Discussion Response to Case Study Question Continue Preparing Individual Research Paper 9

10 Session 3 Session 4 Session 5 Discussion Topics: Overview of Finance and Financial Reporting >Note: Individual Research Paper is Due Online Research and Discussion Session - Complete the Following: 1) Collaborate with Peers to Draft Project Presentation Discussion Topics: Accounting in the Law Office, Budgeting, Forecasting, and Income Determination >Note: Submit Draft of Presentation for Initial Review Discuss Presentation and Work in Team Environment to Prepare Presentation Online Research and Discussion Session - Complete the Following: 1) Collaborate with Peers to Draft Project Presentation 1) Team Project: Presentation and Discussion 2) Examination Online Research and Discussion Session - Complete the Following: 1)Team/Peer/Self Assessment Forms > Note: Response Due Date is by 9:00 AM the Day Before Class Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 1, 2, and 3 Revise Individual Research Paper Accordingly Team Assignment: Collaborate with Peers to Begin Drafting Presentation Individual Assignment: Read Chapters 4, 5 and 10 Team Assignment: Continue Collaborating with Peers to Draft Presentation. Team Assignment: Submit Copies of Oral Presentation (PowerPoint Slides) Individual Assignment: Assessment and Evaluation Forms 10