PLA 2114 - Advanced Legal Research and Writing

College of Policy, Ethics and Legal Studies

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2024 (640)

Requisites

Prerequisite PLA 1104 with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

In this course, students will have the opportunity to learn how to apply their legal research skills to given hypothetical scenarios and create written documents for the legal profession. Students will be able to engage in a variety of research and writing projects to deepen their understanding of Federal and Florida criminal and civil law.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will apply legal research methods by:
    1. constructing a comprehensive legal research strategy to address a specific legal issue or question.
    2. expressing ethical considerations related to legal research.
  2. The student will assess the applicability of research results, in given hypothetical scenarios, by:
    1. evaluating the credibility and reliability of legal sources.
    2. synthesizing information from multiple legal authorities to answer complex legal questions.
  3. The student will construct professional quality legal writing by:
    1. applying legal writing skills to communicate research findings clearly and persuasively.
    2. composing written and verbal communication of research results according to the conventions of legal writing style.
    3. preparing an inter-office memorandum which evaluates the client's legal position.
    4. preparing a persuasive memorandum for submission in federal court.
    5. preparing an appellate brief for submission in state court.

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

Revised 8/84 SCN Change 2/23/88 Effective Session I, 1989-90 Reviewed C&I 10/23/90 3 YR C&I Review 8/94 3 Yr Review 8/97. 3-Year Review 2010: Acceptable As Is
C&I Approval: 02/17/2024, BOT Approval: 03/19/2024, Effective Term: Fall 2024 (640)

Related Programs

  1. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-CT) (580) (Active)
  2. Paralegal Studies (LEGAL-AS) (640) (Active)