PLA 3734 - Computers and the Law Office

College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2011 (435)

Requisites

Admission to Paralegal Studies (Bachelor of Applied Science) (LEGAL-BAS) and
Pre- or Co-requisite PLA 2114

Course Description

This course introduces the student to the law office work environment and contains instruction and practice on computer programs common to law offices. Applications will include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, document preparation and billing software.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate a minimum proficiency in and an understanding of word processing software commonly used in the law office by:
    1. identifying the various types of word processing software commonly used in the law office and the key functionality of each.
    2. assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different word processing software packages in a given scenario.
    3. creating the proper word processing documents in a given scenario.
  2. The student will demonstrate a minimum proficiency in and an understanding of database software commonly used in the law office by:
    1. identifying the various types of database software commonly used in the law office and the key functionality of each.
    2. assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different database software packages in a given scenario.
    3. creating a functional database in a given scenario.
  3. The student will demonstrate a minimum proficiency in and an understanding of document preparation software commonly used in the law office by:
    1. identifying the various types of document preparation software commonly used in the law office and the key functionality of each.
    2. assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different document preparation software packages in a given scenario.
    3. creating documents utilizing selected document preparation software in a given scenario.
  4. The student will demonstrate a minimum proficiency in and an understanding of billing software commonly used in the law office by:
    1. identifying the various types of billing software commonly used in the law office and the key functionality of each.
    2. assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different billing software packages in a given scenario.
    3. creating client statements utilizing selected billing software in a given scenario.
  5. The student will demonstrate a minimum proficiency in and an understanding of spreadsheet software commonly used in the law office by:
    1. identifying the various types of spreadsheet software commonly used in the law office and the key functionality of each.
    2. assessing the strengths and weaknesses of different spreadsheet software packages in a given scenario.
    3. creating a functional spreadsheet in a given scenario.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I 2/28/06, BOT 3/21/06, Effective 20053(0365). Was 3732; changed by State Field Review Effective 20101(0430).
C&I Approval: 12/07/2010, BOT Approval: 02/22/2011, Effective Term: Spring 2011 (435)

Related Programs

  1. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-BAS) (640) (Active)