General prerequisites: courses listed below with the designation “PL” are courses in Paralegal Studies and are open only to students eligible to enroll in English 1157 or with credit in English composition at the college level. May not be used to fulfill General Degree Requirements for social sciences.
SOSC 1901 PL: Introduction to Legal Concepts 3 cr.
Legal principles of substantive and procedural law, organization, and functions of the court system. The paralegal’s responsibilities and parameters in the practice of law.
SOSC 2003 PL: Legal Interviewing and Investigation 3 cr.
Instruction in conducting factual investigations in civil and criminal cases through client and witness interviews, public records, and other research options. Psychological and other interviewing techniques. Investigation into negligence and criminal conduct.
SOSC 2005 PL: Legal Research 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 1901. The basic methods and sources of legal research. Legislative, judicial, and administrative agencies’ reporting systems and the distinctions between these systems. Primary and secondary research sources and the distinction between primary mandatory and primary persuasive authority are covered. Proper citation form, case briefing, session laws, codal compilations, digests, and other sources. Assignments using computer legal software such as Lexis/Nexis and Westlaw as well as basic Internet research.
SOSC 2010 PL: Family Law 3 cr.
Louisiana law on marriage, marital regimes, marital property, community property, parent/child relationships, illegitimacy, paternity, adoption, dissolution of marriage by annulment, separation and divorce, and family law application by the Louisiana court system.
SOSC 2011 PL: Litigation 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 1901. Preparation for the paralegal student to assist in the litigation sequence. The fundamentals of state and federal civil litigation from the initial stage of data collection through the trial, terminology and practical procedures, and emphasizes the federal, state, and local procedural rules utilized in litigation. Development of pleading and discovery instruments. Experience in computer-assisted legal research tools is provided.
SOSC 2013 PL: Legal Ethics 3 cr.
A thorough consideration of the American Bar Association’s “Code of Professional Responsibility” and “Code of Judicial Conduct,” the National Association of Legal Assistants’ “Code of Professional Responsibility” and the National Federation of Paralegal Associations’ “Code of Professional Responsibility,” as well as study of Louisiana’s statutes on the unauthorized practice of law. A paralegal’s conduct and responsibilities with attorneys, clients and other persons, emphasizing the paralegal’s limitations in addition to overall legal ethical considerations. The consequences of the unauthorized practice of law.
SOSC 2020 PL: Real Estate Procedures 3 cr.
Residential and commercial real estate transactions. Case law and statutory law covering ownership of movable and immovable property, agency, purchase agreements, redhibition and title warranty, servitudes, successions, liens, mortgages, etc. are all covered from the aspect of paralegal duties and responsibilities.
SOSC 2022 PL: Abstracting Techniques 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 2005. A review of Louisiana substantive law relating to residential real estate and mineral law, its applications in the preparation of abstracts, compilation of information necessary for closing a sale of real estate, and preparation of preliminary abstracts of title. Students are required to conduct a title search and prepare the necessary documents for closing a sale of real estate.
SOSC 2030 PL: Taxation Procedures 3 cr.
An introduction to federal and state taxation, including income, estate, gift sales, and use taxes. Emphasis is placed on recent legislative developments and the preparation of returns and schedules, including the audit process, contesting procedures, and administrative procedures of the IRS.
SOSC 2032 PL: Commercial and Banking Laws for Paralegals 3 cr.
An overview of contracts, commercial paper, security rights, and laws and regulations governing financial institutions. Emphasis is on federal and Louisiana statutes and regulations governing lenders and loan terms. The course requires drafting a variety of agreements, letters, contracts, and other financing documents.
SOSC 2034 PL: Business Associations 3 cr.
The characteristics of sole proprietorship, general and limited partnerships, and corporations is combined with a study of specific tasks such as inter-viewing business clients, drafting agreements, articles of incorporation, etc. Emphasis in on the role of the paralegal.
SOSC 2044 PL: Medical Malpractice 3 cr.
An introductory course in the substantive issues and practical procedures of the Medical Malpractice Act, covering those areas where a paralegal handles analysis of hospital/medical records, subpoenae and use of medical records in the discovery process, preparation of discovery documents, medical panel submission requirements, and other litigation.
SOSC 2050 PL: Constitutional/Criminal Procedure 3 cr.
The rules of criminal procedure as developed by the United States Constitution and the State of Louisiana’s Constitution, including arrest, interrogation, search and seizure, constitutional rules in the courtroom, grand juries, right to counsel, and order of criminal trials.
SOSC 2052 PL: Evidence 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 2005.The general rules of evidence as promulgated for the State of Louisiana in January 1989. Rules regarding hearsay, character evidence, evidence of other crimes, expert testimony, and types of evidence admissible and non-admissible in federal and state court systems, with special emphasis on paralegal trial preparation.
SOSC 2091 PL: Special Topics in Paralegal Studies 3 cr.
Topic will vary from semester to semester. The course will concentrate on a particular area of legal practice. May be repeated once for credit.
SOSC 2907 PL: Case Analysis and Writing 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 2005. The logical and expressive skills necessary for effective legal writing. Emphasized are grammar fundamentals, stylistic strategies, logic and logical fallacies, in-depth case analysis, and preparation of legal memoranda. Exercises in use of computer legal software in case analysis, as well as extensive legal document drafting exercises.
SOSC 3001 PL: Legal Practices and Procedures 3 cr.
Prerequisites: SOSC 1901 2005 2011 2013 and 2907. Instruction in legal practice in a wide spectrum of on-the-job paralegal duties and responsibilities. Experience in routine work tasks performed by practicing paralegals, such as document production and management, client file organization and maintenance, court records filing, court record search and review, scheduling procedures for trials, hearings, discovery, calendar/docket control, tickler systems, and the inter-office memo system. Introduction to the use of computer legal and word-processing software in accomplishing these tasks. Problem-solving through the use of actual attorney assignments. Preparation of trial bench books and mock trial required.
SOSC 3012 PL: Wills, Estates, and Trusts 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 2005. A course for paralegals focusing on obtaining and organizing client information, testament forms, Louisiana forced heirship laws, testate and intestate successions, including an in-depth study of substance and procedure, administration of estates, and Louisiana inheritance taxes, with an introduction to Federal Estate Tax and an introduction to the Louisiana Trust Code. Research assignments using traditional and electronic resources.
SOSC 3036 PL: Bankruptcy Practice 3 cr.
This course is designed to prepare paralegal students to assist attorneys representing debtors and creditors in bankruptcy. Emphasis on procedures and their practical applications, including but not limited to, interviewing clients, preparing and reviewing schedules, preparing and filing claims, and motions. The course reviews the U.S. Trustee System and the federal bankruptcy code including amendments and related provisions.
SOSC 3040 PL: Torts 3 cr.
Prerequisites: SOSC 2907 and 2011. An introduction to substantive Louisiana tort law with emphasis on the elements of intentional torts, negligence, products liability, defenses, and damages. Practical and procedural applications to assist in either defense or plaintiff personal injury litigation.
SOSC 3042 PL: Introduction to Maritime Personal Injury Law 3 cr.
Prerequisite: SOSC 2005. An introduction to substantive, procedural, and practical aspects of maritime personal injury practice for the paralegal. A study of the requisited of admiralty jurisdiction as well as an in-depth study of all substantive, procedural, and practical aspects of all remedies available in admiralty for personal injury jurisdiction, including, but not limited to, the requisite elements of recovery pursuant to the Jones Act, warranty at seaworthiness, maintenance and cure, the general maritime law, wrongful death, the Longshore Harbor workers Compensation Acts, as well as all available avenues for contribution and indemnity and all defenses available to admiralty claims.
SOSC 3070 PL: Computer Litigation Support 3 cr.
Prerequisites: SOSC 1901 2005 2011 2013 2907 3001. An advanced course which focuses on litigation support concepts with hands-on instruction and practice in Summation, an automated litigation support program.
SOSC 3077 PL: Environmental Law 3 cr.
The fundamentals of environmental law in the United States with particular emphasis on Louisiana. Why and how environmental laws are made. The relationship of environmental law to Commerce, Bankruptcy, Administrative, Toxic Tort, and Criminal Law.
SOSC 3088 PL: Paralegal Internship Program 3 cr.
Prerequisites: SOSC 1901, 2013, 2005, 2907, 2011, and a 3.0 grade point average. An advanced clinical practicum. Student intern works a minimum of ten hours per week in a legal setting (law office, law-related government agency, non-profit legal agency, court system, etc.) under the on-site direct supervision of attorney or senior paralegal. This course may be repeated once for credit.
SOSC 3091 PL: Special Topics in Paralegal Studies 3 cr.
Topic will vary from semester to semester. The course will concentrate on a particular field of legal practice. May be repeated once for credit.
