Course Descriptions
Paralegal (PLG) Courses
PLG 100 Introduction to Legal Practice (3-0) 3 credits
This course will introduce students to the organization and operation of the legal system and fundamental legal concepts. The course gives an overview of legal ethics, the court system, constitutional law, civil litigation, contracts, criminal law, tort law, and business organizations. Co-requisite: ENG 101 and successful completion of all required remedial courses.
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PLG 115 Computers in the Law Office (3-1) 3 credits
This course introduces the fundamental of how to use computer technology to accomplish tasks performed by legal assistants or paralegals in a law office. Computer applications will include word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, timekeeping and billing, and case management.
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PLG 120 Business Structures (3-0) 3 credits
This course will introduce the student to the various types of business structures used by businesses today including sole proprietorships, general partnerships, limited partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. The course will define and describe each type of business structure and give the student an understanding of the practicalities involved in establishing each type of structure. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 125 Legal Research and Writing I (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the fundamental concepts of legal research and analysis through the use of FLCC’s law library. The student will be introduced to primary and secondary sources of law. Emphasis will be placed on finding and analyzing both statutory and case law along with proper citation format. The student will be introduced to the preparation of simple legal documents and will prepare at least one legal research memorandum.
Co-requisite: PLG 100, ENG 101.
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PLG 210 Real Property Law and Practice (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the principles of real property practice. Topics to be covered include elements of real property law, contracts, deeds, encumbrances, legal descriptions, title protection, mortgages, closings, and leases. Emphasis will be placed on the completion of real estate documents and the practicalities of filings and recordings. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 225 Legal Research and Writing II (3-0) 3 credits
This course is a continuation of Legal Research & Writing I with an emphasis on clear and effective legal writing. In this course, the student is exposed to more complicated legal research requiring careful research and detailed legal analysis. Students will also be instructed in computer assisted legal research. Assignments include legal research memoranda and various pleadings. Prerequisite: PLG 100, PLG 125.
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PLG 230 Family Law (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to the basic concepts of family law including prenuptial agreements, valid and void marriages, annulments, separation agreements, custody and child support, divorce, spousal maintenance, paternity, adoption, family offenses, and child protection. Emphasis will be placed on the preparation of necessary documents, filing procedures, and interview techniques. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 235 Administration of Wills, Trusts, and Estates (3-0) 3 credits
This course will introduce the student to laws relating to estate planning, the administration of estates (both testate and intestate), and the establishment and administration of trusts. Emphasis will be placed on the practicalities of estate law including interview techniques, preparation of wills, trusts and administrative documents, and filing requirements and procedures. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 240 Courts and Litigation (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to introduce the student to the federal and state court system and offer instruction in civil litigation procedures commencing from the initial client interview and file organization to the trial and any subsequent appeals. It will include instruction on procedures authorized under the New York Civil Practice Law & Rules and special emphasis will be placed on the content and preparation of documents used in civil law suits. Prerequisite: PLG 100, PLG 125 or have completed 60 credit hours. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 245 Tort Law (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to give the student an introduction to the principles of personal injury law. Topics to be covered include: negligence, assault, battery, and false imprisonment, intentional infliction of emotional distress, trespass to land, trespass to chattel, conversion, defamation, strict product liability, and professional malpractice. Emphasis will be placed on the role of a paralegal in personal injury litigation with preparation and discussion of pertinent documents and filing issues. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 250 Paralegal Internship (3-0) 3 credits
This course provides the student with the opportunity to gain practical work experience under the supervision of an attorney or experienced paralegal in day-to-day, on-site office work. The student must complete a minimum of 128 hours of internship work at the internship site during the semester, which may be a public or private law office, corporate or government legal department, abstract company, or other appropriate law-related site. It will be the student’s responsibility to secure an internship site with the help of the program director. During the semester, the student must attend three internship seminar sessions in which issues regarding the student’s experiences and the paralegal profession will be discussed. Students will also do an oral presentation and write a paper describing their internship experiences.
Prerequisites: Attendance at an orientation session held the semester before the internship, completion of 30 credit hours at least nine of which must be paralegal classes including PLG 100 and PLG 125 with a grade of ‘C-’ or better and an overall grade point average of 2.50. Internships are subject to the approval of program director as well as availability.
Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 255 Bankruptcy Law (3-0) 3 credits
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of bankruptcy law and its practical applications from both the debtor and creditor perspectives. Topics to be covered include: review of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and New York State Bankruptcy Laws, individual liquidation and reorganization, business liquidation and reorganization, the bankrupt estate, property exemptions, automatic stay and discharge. The student will have the opportunity to analyze a hypothetical financial situation and prepare a bankruptcy petition. Prerequisites: PLG 100, PLG 125. Offered on a regular rotating basis.
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PLG 265 Law Office Practice (3-0) 3 credits
This hybrid course provides students who are unable to complete a traditional internship with the opportunity to experience life in a law firm through simulation. The students will meet with the instructor weekly to discuss issues pertaining to the paralegal profession. The first meeting will be on campus; all future weekly meeting will be via webinars. Further, the students will be assigned work which will simulate the types of assignments a paralegal will receive in the workplace. In this course, the instructor will assume the role of an internship supervisor. During the week, the students will be required to check in with the instructor / supervisor on a regular basis regarding assignments which will be provided online. During the semester, the student will be required to complete a total of 96 hours of internship work which may include, but is not limited to the preparation of the following: resumes, letters, court documents, billing sheets, real estate documentation, and living wills. Further, all students will be required to interview 8 paralegals and prepare a report on their experience. All work will provided and completed under the guidance of the instructor / supervisor. Prerequisites: The student must have completed at least 30 college credits which include a minimum of 15 credits in legal specialty courses.
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