Sheridan Course Outlines

APPL13592
Software Applications

I: Administrative Information II: Course Details III: Topical Outline(s) Printable Version

Section I: Administrative Information

Total hours: 42.0
Credit Value: 3.0
Credit Value Notes: N/A
Effective: Spring/Summer 2012
Prerequisites: (APPL17545)
Corequisites: N/A
Equivalents: N/A
Pre/Co/Equiv Notes: N/A

Program(s): Paralegal
Program Coordinator(s): Netta Romano
Course Leader or Contact: Patricia Knight
Version: 8.0
Status: Approved (APPR)

Section I Notes: N/A

Section II: Course Details

Detailed Description
Students assess client fact situations, develop a theory of the client's case, and select allegations which support that theory. Students then use legal software to draft pleadings, motions and other legal documents. Students learn the principles of legal file set-up, and apply them to organize, store and retrieve legal documents. Students also learn to use tickler systems and dockets. The focus is on hand's-on activities, with in-class demonstrations followed by immediate student applications.

Program Context

Paralegal

Program Coordinator: Netta Romano

In this required course in the Paralegal program, students further develop the skills acquired in previous computer and civil advocacy courses. This course prepares students for advanced civil advocacy courses, and for advocacy in the workplace.

Course Critical Performance and Learning Outcomes

 Critical Performance

By the end of this course, students will have demonstrated the 
ability to draft pleadings, motions and other documents that meet 
professional standards.    


Learning Outcomes

To achieve the critical performance, students will have demonstrated 
the ability to:

1.	Produce work (including legal documents) that accurately
        follows instructions and the Rules of Small Claims Court.
 
2.	Adapt precedent legal documents to produce other
        legal documents.

3.	Create client files using legal software.

4.	Evaluate a client fact situation.

5.	Develop a theory of the client's case.

6.	Select allegations from the client fact situation that
        support the theory of the case.

7.	Draft persuasive pleadings and other documents. 

8.	Organize and manage a legal file.

Evaluation Plan
Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Students demonstrate their learning in the following ways:

Assignment #1  Motion, supporting affidavit, service    20%
Assignment #2  Defence and defendant's claim            25%
Assignment #3  Plaintiff's claim and service            25%
Assignment #4  Legal file set-up                        30%
                                                                      
                                                      ______
Total                                                  100%


Academic Procedure 

The following practices are agreed to by the professors and will 
apply to all courses in Paralegal. 

1.    For assignments and projects, the professor will specify in
      writing due dates and special instructions at the beginning of
      the semester. 

2.    Students must complete every assignment as an individual effort
      unless the professor specifies otherwise. 

3.    Students must write all tests at the scheduled time.  A make-up
      test may be provided for students who provide an acceptable
      explanation of their absence and/or acceptable documentation
      explaining their absence (for example, a medical certificate).

Provincial Context
The course meets the following Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities requirements:

Essential Employability Skills
Essential Employability Skills emphasized in the course:

X	Communication	X	Critical Thinking & Problem Solving		Interpersonal
X	Numeracy	X	Information Management	X	Personal

Notes: N/A

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition
PLAR Contact (if course is PLAR-eligible) : Office of the Registrar
Students may apply to receive credit by demonstrating achievement of the course learning outcomes through previous relevant work/life experience, service, self-study and training on the job. This course is eligible for challenge through the following method(s):

Challenge Exam	Portfolio	Interview	Other	Not Eligible for PLAR
	X	X

Notes: N/A

Section III: Topical Outline

Some details of this outline may change as a result of circumstances such as weather cancellations, College and student activities, and class timetabling.
Effective term: Spring/Summer 2012
Professor: Patricia Knight
Textbook(s):

Instructor Handouts

Knight, Small Claims Court: Procedure and Practice

Students will also require the Small Claims Court Rules

Applicable student group(s): Paralegal Students
Course Details:

Week 1
Targeted learning outcomes:  1, 3

Introduction
Course outline
Installing software
Review - Small Claims Court procedure
What a motion is used for
Notice of motion
Supporting affidavit
Proof of service

Week 2		
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5

Small Claims motions continued
In-class exercise - Draft a precedent motion and supporting affidavit
Hand out Assignment #1 (20%)

Week 3	
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 7	
Draft a motion and supporting affidavit

Week 4		

Draft a motion and supporting affidavit
Assignment #1 DUE

Week 5	
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6

Rules for drafting a defence
  Admissions
  Denials
  No knowledges
Developing a theory of the defence
Rules for drafting a defendant's claim
  Prayer for relief
Developing a theory of the defendant's claim
Disclosure 

Hand out Assignment #2 (25%) Defence and defendant's claim

Week 6		

Draft a defence and defendant's claim
		
Week 7
Draft a defence and defendant's claim
Assignment #2 DUE

BREAK

Week 8
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6	

Review - Small Claims Court actions
In-class exercise - Draft a precedent plaintiff's claim and affidavit 
of service
Proper formatting
The prayer for relief
Review fact situation
What is relevant? 
  Develop a theory of the case
  Support it with allegations
Telling the client's story
Service of the claim
Hand out Assignment #3 (25%) Plaintiff's claim and service

Week 9	
Targeted learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 7	

Draft a plaintiff's claim and service

Week 10	
Targeted learning outcomes: 1 to 8	

Assignment #3 DUE

Review -- Motion and supporting affidavit 
Use of documentary evidence on a motion 
Legal file set-up
Case file and subfiles
File information sheet
Checklist/tickler
Dockets
Exhibits
Hand out Assignment #4 (30%) Legal file set-up

Week 11	
Targeted learning outcomes: 1 to 8        

Legal file management

Week 12	        

Legal file management
		
Week 13	        

Legal file management
Assignment #4 DUE

Week 14	        

Review

Sheridan Policies

All Sheridan policies can be viewed on the Sheridan policy website.

Academic Integrity: The principle of academic integrity requires that all work submitted for evaluation and course credit be the original, unassisted work of the student. Cheating or plagiarism including borrowing, copying, purchasing or collaborating on work, except for group projects arranged and approved by the professor, or otherwise submitting work that is not the student's own, violates this principle and will not be tolerated. Students who have any questions regarding whether or not specific circumstances involve a breach of academic integrity are advised to review the Academic Integrity Policy and procedure and/or discuss them with the professor.

Copyright: A majority of the course lectures and materials provided in class and posted in SLATE are protected by copyright. Use of these materials must comply with the Acceptable Use Policy, Use of Copyright Protected Work Policy and Student Code of Conduct. Students may use, copy and share these materials for learning and/or research purposes provided that the use complies with fair dealing or an exception in the Copyright Act. Permission from the rights holder would be necessary otherwise. Please note that it is prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote. It is also prohibited to reproduce and/or post a work that is not your own or your own work with the intent to assist others in cheating on third-party commercial websites including but not limited to Course Hero or OneNote.

Intellectual Property: Sheridan's Intellectual Property Policy generally applies such that students own their own work. Please be advised that students working with external research and/or industry collaborators may be asked to sign agreements that waive or modify their IP rights. Please refer to Sheridan's IP Policy and Procedure.

Respectful Behaviour: Sheridan is committed to provide a learning environment that supports academic achievement by respecting the dignity, self-esteem and fair treatment of every person engaged in the learning process. Behaviour which is inconsistent with this principle will not be tolerated. Details of Sheridan's policy on Harassment and Discrimination, Academic Integrity and other academic policies are available on the Sheridan policy website.

Accessible Learning: Accessible Learning coordinates academic accommodations for students with disabilities. For more information or to register, please see the Accessible Learning website (Statement added September 2016)

Course Outline Changes: The information contained in this Course Outline including but not limited to faculty and program information and course description is subject to change without notice. Any changes to course curriculum and/or assessment shall adhere to approved Sheridan protocol. Nothing in this Course Outline should be viewed as a representation, offer and/or warranty. Students are responsible for reading the Important Notice and Disclaimer which applies to Programs and Courses.

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