Paralegal Studies

A writing course designed primarily to meet the needs of students pursuing career and technical programs. Meets the written composition graduation requirement for an AHC associate's degree. Students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution will need to take ENGL 101 instead of this course to meet the university's first-year composition requirement. Readings will be drawn from the disciplines involved so that students master comprehension and critical reading skills in real-world texts. Writing assignments and projects will similarly be based upon the types of critical thinking and analytical writing required in the students' fields of study. Research methods and skills will be emphasized.

Designed to help students enhance their analytical reading and writing skills using a wide variety of texts. Emphasizes college-level expository essay construction, communication, and research methods leading to the preparation and writing of a research paper.

Acquire the basic knowledge needed to begin your career as a paralegal. This course provides an in-depth overview of the legal system with special emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of a paralegal.

Introduction to criminal law and procedure for the paralegal. This course includes crimes against persons, habitation, property, order, justice, and morals. Defenses to criminal activity, search and seizure, confessions, pretrial, trial, and sentencing are also covered

Select one course from this list.

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Anthropology 107
• English 150, 151, 152, 153
• Ethnic Studies 101, 105, 107, 120, 121, 122, 150, 151, 152, 153
• Fashion 105
• Film 122
• History 120, 121

ALL courses in this category also fulfill the AHC Graduation Requirement: Multicultural and Gender Studies  

Introduction to civil litigation for the paralegal. This course is a survey of litigation, from the initial client interview to post-trial appeals. Complaint drafting, filing, service motions, answers, and discovery are covered. Settlement and trial are also included.

This course covers the sources and methods of legal research as related to cases, statutes, and secondary materials. Students will engage in objective legal writing based upon their research.

If you take any of the following courses, you will also satisfy the Multicultural/Gender Studies requirement:

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Administration of Justice 101, 103, 115
• Anthropology 102, 103, 105, 107
• Business 121, 141
• Communications Studies 100, 110
• Early Childhood Studies 100, 101
• Economics 101, 102, 121, 141
• English 105, 150, 151,152, 153
• Ethnic Studies 101, 107, 150, 151,152, 153
• Geography 102, 103, 105
• Global Studies 141
• Graphics 127
• LGBT 101, 102
• Physical Education 128
• Political Science 101, 104, 105, 110
• Psychology 101, 112, 113, 117, 118, 119, 121
• Sociology 101, 102, 104, 120, 122, 155, 160

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Ethnic Studies 121
• History 107, 108, 118, 119, 121
• Political Science 101, 103

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Mathematics 100, 105, 121, 123, 131, 135, 141, 181, 182, 183, 184

Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes.

Course focuses on law office procedures and terminology for the purpose of employment as a secretary and/or paralegal in a law office. The law office principles and management skills learned in this course may be applied to employment in any legal practice area (civil, criminal, family, probate, etc.) as well as other professional office settings.

Designed to expose paralegal students to written advocacy and discovery requests. Emphasizes persuasive writing techniques, writing for a purpose, and discovery mechanics. Students will complete substantial writing assignments.

Ethics are the standards that regulate the integrity of the legal profession. This course will improve your understanding of how paralegals are affected by ethical issues.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

Select one course from the list below.

• American Sign Language 138
• Art 101, 103, 104, 105, 109, 170
• Communication Studies 108
• Dance 101, 110, 120, 130, 147
• Drama 103, 110, 111
• Early Childhood Studies 116, 123
• English 102, 106, 117, 118, 119, 130, 131, 132, 133, 135, 138,139, 140, 144, 145, 146, 148, 180
• Ethnic Studies 105, 120, 122
• Fashion 104, 105
• Film 101, 102, 103, 104, 108, 109, 110, 122
• French 101, 102
• Graphics 127
• History 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 120, 138
• Humanities 101, 102, 103, 104, 105
• Library 180
• Multimedia Arts and Communication 101, 102
• Music 100, 101, 102, 104, 106
• Philosophy 101, 102, 105, 121, 122
• Photo 110
• Spanish 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 112

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Communication Studies 100, 101, 102, 106
• English 103, 104
• Philosophy 112, 114

Supervised employment extending classroom-based learning to an on-the-job learning environment relating to the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits, and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

This course is designed to help students develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary to manage cases in a law office environment. The course includes interaction with case management software, databases, and word processing.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

You will need a minimum of 9 units from this list:

Choose one course each semester it is identified on the suggested course sequence.

Courses that meet this requirement:

• Anthropology 101, 110 (when taken in conjunction with 101)
• Astronomy 100
• Biology 100, 120, 124, 132
• Chemistry 110, 120
• Environmental Technology 101
• Food Science and Nutrition 110
• Geography 101, 115
• Geology 100, 111, 114, 115, 131, 141
• Physical Science 111, 112
• Physics 100
• Viticulture and Enology 102

Select one course from the list below to fulfill the requirements for both GE Area 7: Living Skills and AHC Grad: Health Education and Safety.

• Early Childhood Studies 102
• Emergency Medical Services 102
• Food Science and Nutrition 109
• Health Education 100
• Personal Development 101

Acquire the basic knowledge needed to begin your career as a paralegal. This course provides an in-depth overview of the legal system with special emphasis on the duties and responsibilities of a paralegal.

Introduction to criminal law and procedure for the paralegal. This course includes crimes against persons, habitation, property, order, justice, and morals. Defenses to criminal activity, search and seizure, confessions, pretrial, trial, and sentencing are also covered

Introduction to civil litigation for the paralegal. This course is a survey of litigation, from the initial client interview to post-trial appeals. Complaint drafting, filing, service motions, answers, and discovery are covered. Settlement and trial are also included.

This course covers the sources and methods of legal research as related to cases, statutes, and secondary materials. Students will engage in objective legal writing based upon their research.

Fundamental legal principles pertaining to business transactions. Introduction to the legal process. Topics include sources of law and ethics, contracts, torts, agency, criminal law, business organizations, and judicial and administrative processes.

Supervised employment extending classroom-based learning to an on-the-job learning environment relating to the student's career and educational goals. In addition, these work experiences improve the student's basic work skills and professional competencies by creating career awareness, improving work habits, and fostering positive workplace attitudes.

Designed to expose paralegal students to written advocacy and discovery requests. Emphasizes persuasive writing techniques, writing for a purpose, and discovery mechanics. Students will complete substantial writing assignments.

This course is designed to help students develop the conceptual and technical skills necessary to manage cases in a law office environment. The course includes interaction with case management software, databases, and word processing.

Ethics are the standards that regulate the integrity of the legal profession. This course will improve your understanding of how paralegals are affected by ethical issues.