Course PLS 52, Legal Writing
Section 4290- Course Syllabus

Course Description

Students use legal research skills to draft legal correspondence, case briefs, legal memoranda, pleadings, motions, and other documents.  The course emphasizes construction of clear, concise, and well-organized legal instruments.

Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

Class Meetings

All material and activities be offered asynchronously, meaning the students can access them on Canvas throughout the duration of the course.  New modules will be posted each Monday, typically by noon.  Once published, the module will be accessible until the end of the course.  

Instructor Contact

Laura Pedicini, JD

Email: lpedicini@santarosa.edu 

Phone: (209) 968-6060  (Phone contact is encouraged, but advanced notice is required.  Please text me at 209-968-6060 or email me at the address above to request a phone appointment.)  

Office Hours: I am available every Thursday evening to respond to emails in "real time." Meaning, if you send me an email on a Thursday between 6:30 pm- 8:30 pm, I will review your email and respond as quickly as possible. Please keep in mind that while I will make every effort to respond to your email in "real time,"  I may be on the phone with another student or communicating with another student by email.  As a result, my response may not be immediate. 

I respond to emails with 24 hours on weekdays and 48 hours on weekends and holidays. 

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas course web site for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmate's work, sharing resources, and viewing grades.

Required:  Textbook AND Simulation Code 

There are two required materials for the class - a textbook and a simulation code for online activities.  You may purchase the components separately, or as a "bundle" at a discounted price through the SRJC Bookstore.  It is also possible to purchase the simulation code directly through the publisher, Wolters Klewar, by contacting Brooke Goerman, brooke.goerman@wolterskluwer.com .  

Basic Legal Writing for Paralegals 6^th edition

ISBN: 9781543813807 

Author: Sanborn

The Law Simulation Series: Legal Writing

ISBN: 9781454837053

Author: Pevar

Recommended but not required:  California Style Manual, by Edward W. Jessen, West Publishing

You can locate and order textbooks online through he SRJC Bookstore. Note that if you want to pick your books up in Petaluma, you need to order them from the Petaluma Bookstore website.

Required Software

In addition to word processing software, and reliable access to the Internet (for using the simulation code and accessing related materials) you will need the following software for this course. 

• Adobe Reader

Important Dates

Day Class Begins: 1/20/21

Day Class Ends: 5/21/21

Last Day to Add without instructor's approval: 1/26/21

Last Day to Drop with refund: 1/31/21

Last Day to Add with instructor's approval: 2/7/21

Last Day to Drop without a 'W' symbol: 2/3/19

Last Day to Drop with a 'W' symbol:  2/7/21

Dropping the Class

If you decide to discontinue this course, it is your responsibility to officially drop it to avoid getting no refund (after 10% of course length), a W symbol (after 20%), or a grade (after 60%). Also, for several consecutive, unexplained absences, the instructor may drop a student.

Instructor Announcements and Q&A Forum

In addition to emailing students, I will frequently post announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester.  Since my main source for getting information to students is through Canvas announcements, it's very important that your contact information is current.  Please check your email and phone number on Canvas to ensure that they are accurate.  If they are not, please update them.  Canvas notifies students according to their preferred Notification Preferences as soon as the instructor creates an Announcement. A “Q&A Forum” is also on Canvas to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

Attendance

Students who fail to attend the first class (face-to-face courses) or do not log-in to an online class after the second day of the semester will be dropped from the class. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one class/homework deadline in a row that you contact me to avoid being dropped from the class.

Late Policy

All assignments are due by midnight (Pacific Time)  on the due date. A late submission will receive a 20% penalty, unless a student contacts me in advance to explain compelling circumstances that have impacted his/her ability to turn the assignment in on time.  Submissions more than one week late are not accepted without prior arrangement. Late work will not be graded unless student sends instructor an email with URL for late work.

Exams

There will be occasional quizzes and a final exam. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online exams by the due date.

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I  post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook. Please note that I will be writing comments directly on the papers you submit through Canvas, and not just in the "comments" section. Please familiarize yourself with how to view the comments on the paper.  

Grades will be assigned as follows:

A	90%	90 points or more
B	80%	80 to 89 points
C	70%	70 to 79 points
D	60%	60 to 69 points

 

Standards of Conduct

Students who register in SRJC classes are required to abide by the SRJC Student Conduct Standards. Violation of the Standards is basis for referral to the Vice President of Student Services or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Student Code of Conduct page.

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:
SRJC Writing Center Lessons on avoiding plagiarism
SRJC's policy on Academic Integrity

Other Important Policies and Practices

Avoid Plagiarism 

Although most students have likely heard about plagiarism during their years of schooling, it still is prevalent-even in higher education.

The video below reviews what plagiarism is and how not to do it.

Plagiarism: How to avoid it

This activity tests your knowledge of plagiarism (not graded): Self-check: Plagiarism

Netiquette, or Why Is It Harder to Be Polite Online?

Netiquette refers to using common courtesy in online communication. All members of the class are expected to follow netiquette in all course communications. Use these guidelines:

• Use capital letters sparingly. THEY LOOK LIKE SHOUTING.
• Forward emails only with a writer's permission.
• Be considerate of others' feelings and use language carefully.
• Cite all quotations, references, and sources (otherwise, it is plagiarism).
• Use humor carefully. It is hard to "read" tone; sometimes humor can be misread as criticism or personal attack. Feel free to use emoticons like :) for a smiley face to let others know you are being humorous.
• Use complete sentences and standard English grammar to compose posts. Write in proper paragraphs. Review work before submitting it.
• Text speak, such as "ur" for "your" or "ru" for "are you" etc., is only acceptable when texting.

Special Needs

Students with disabilities who believe they need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact Disability Resources (527-4278), as soon as possible to better ensure such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.