09-10_Academiccatalog(Fullcatalog4.30mb) - Kankakee ...

velopment, cover letter and follow-up letter writing, basic
job search skills, and job retention. At course end, students
will receive a portfolio containing a professionally prepared
laser-printed resume, cover letter, and follow-up letter. This course
may be taken under the pass/fail grading option. See Page 170.
ORIN 1501 - College Success Skills 1/0 (1)
This is a foundational course in active learning strategies and
effective study skills that focuses on the learner’s role and responsibility
in the learning process. The course presents college
survival skills which facilitate student success. Topics such as
effective note taking, time management, study methods, and
test-taking tips are covered.
Paralegal/
Legal Assistant Studies
PLAS 1103 - Introduction to Paralegal/
Legal Assistant Studies 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: Appropriate assessment score or completion of
ENGL 1413 with a grade of C or better or consent of instructor;
and ENGL 1613 or concurrent enrollment. This is a survey course
introducing students to the paralegal profession. A practical
approach is used to explain a paralegal’s roles, skills, and responsibilities.
The course also emphasizes mastering terms, reviewing
basic techniques of legal research and writing, and ethics for paralegals.
To continue enrolling in Paralegal/Legal Assistant Studies
courses, this course must be completed with a grade of B or
better.
PLAS 1123 - Legal Research & Writing I 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1103 with a grade of B or better; ENGL
1613 with a grade of C or better; BSNS 1653; and one of the
following: COSC 1352, Microsoft Office Specialist certification,
or instructor consent. This course, the first in a two-semester
sequence, emphasizes performing legal research in the library
and on the computer. The fundamentals of legal analysis and
writing, correct citation form, and eliminating mechanical errors
are stressed.
PLAS 1133 - Legal Research & Writing II 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1123 and PLAS 1213. This course, the second
of a two-semester sequence, continues to emphasize performing
legal research in the library and on the computer. While the first
semester stresses research techniques, this course stresses online
research, correct citation form, and eliminating grammatical,
spelling, and other writing errors.
PLAS 1153 - Law Office Management 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
offers a realistic look at the law office environment. Practical
information to be covered will include client management, case
files, confidentiality, deadlines, computer file access and billable
hours.
PLAS 1213 - Civil Litigation 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1103 with a grade of B or better; ENGL
1613 with a grade of C or better; and PLAS 1123 or concurrent
enrollment. This course covers both substantive civil law and civil
procedure. Special emphasis will be placed on Illinois and federal
civil codes. The role of the paralegal in civil litigation, from the
client interview through the appeals process, will be addressed.
PLAS 2113 - Legal Technology 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
gives the paralegal student a thorough overview of technology
used in the law office. Students will complete online research
assignments and use demonstration models of a variety of legal
software applications.
PLAS 2213 - Real Estate Law 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
provides a comprehensive understanding of the law of real
property. Types of ownership, surveys and legal descriptions,
and encumbrances are discussed. The course also addresses
contracts and related issues; property transfers by deed; real
estate finance and mortgages; title to property; and real estate
closings. The paralegal’s role in these transactions is a foundation
of the course.
PLAS 2223 - Estates, Trusts, & Wills 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
covers the law of the estate planning and probate processes and
specifically addresses the role of the paralegal in such transactions.
Special emphasis will be placed on Illinois law in the drafting of
wills and trusts. The course also addresses the statutory guidelines
and court rules that apply to the probate process.
PLAS 2233 - Criminal Litigation 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment; and PLAS
1213. This course covers both substantive criminal law and
criminal procedure. Special emphasis will be placed on Illinois
and federal criminal codes. The role of the paralegal in criminal
litigation, both from prosecution and defense perspectives, will
be addressed.
PLAS 2253 - Corporate Law 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
covers the law of business organizations, including corporations,
partnerships, and sole proprietorships. Information on corporate
finance and securities regulations, changes to corporate structure,
and the role of a corporate paralegal also are covered.
PLAS 2263 - Family Law 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment and one
of the following: COSC 1372, Microsoft Office Specialist
Certification, or instructor consent. This course provides a
detailed review of family law issues in Illinois and the paralegal’s
role in addressing these issues. Special emphasis will
be placed on current trends in family law and the implications
of these trends on family law proceedings in the 21st
Judicial Circuit.
PLAS 2333 - Laws of Evidence 3/0 (3)
Prerequisite: PLAS 1133 or concurrent enrollment. This course
provides a detailed review of the rules of evidence and emphasizes
the role and importance of these rules to any legal action.
The course specifically emphasizes how the paralegal assists the
attorney in recognizing and identifying admissible evidence and
the challenges to admissibility of evidence.
PLAS 2403 - Special Topics in Paralegal Studies 3/0 (3)
Prerequisites: PLAS 1123, PLAS 1133, and PLAS 2113; or consent
of the program coordinator. This course allows the student to
apply knowledge of the law to a problem or research topic under
2009-10 catalog • www.kcc.edu
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