Course Descriptions

2010-2011 Catalog
Paralegal

PAR 110 Legal Analysis
3 Credits

Presents a basic course in legal authority and analysis.

PAR 114 Computers and the Law
3 Credits

Provides students with an opportunity to develop computer skills needed in the legal environment, including software applications, spreadsheets, databases, and Internet research.

PAR 115 Introduction to Law
3 Credits

Provides an understanding of the role of paralegals, issues facing paralegals, the working of the legal system, and ethical questions. Legal terminology and an overview of the substantive areas of law will be discussed.

PAR 116 Torts
3 Credits

Focuses on tort law, including negligence, intentional torts, and strict liability, with an emphasis on personal injury litigation.

PAR 117 Family Law
3 Credits

Emphasizes domestic law, common property, dissolutions, adoptions, legal separation, and other family law issues.

PAR 118 Contracts
3 Credits

Examines the basic principles of contract law.

PAR 125 Property Law
3 Credits

Focuses on real estate law, ownership, sale, leasing, financing and government regulation of land.

PAR 126 Administrative Law
3 Credits
Introduces administrative and regulatory agencies, their jurisdiction, rule-making and decision-making processes.

PAR 127 Legal Ethics
3 Credits
Explores the parameters of professional responsibilities and value systems for paralegals and related occupations.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better.

PAR 201 Civil Litigation
3 Credits

Focuses on an intensive study of the legal process including the Federal and Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 115 and PAR 116 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 202 Evidence
Credits
Introduces the student to State and Federal Rules of Evidence and application to the trial process.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 205 Criminal Law
3 Credits
Introduces basic concepts of criminal law and criminal procedure, including Colorado statutes and Rules of Procedure.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better.

PAR 206 Business Organizations
3 Credits
Focuses on the study of the major types of business organizations.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 115 and 118 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 207 Current Issues in the Law
3 Credits
Provides an understanding of the current legal issues and trends applicable to the law.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better

PAR 208 Probate and Estates 3 Credits Provides an understanding of the creation and administration of an estate, including wills and trusts and the probate process.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 211 Legal Research
3 Credits

Introduces the student to basic legal research tools, including statutes, digests, case law, citators, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and online data bases.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 110, PAR 115, PAR 116, and PAR 118 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 215 Alternative Dispute Resolution
3 Credits

Introduces the student to negotiation, mediation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 216 Employment Law
3 Credits

Provides an understanding of current legal issues in the area of employer/employee relationships.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 217 Environmental Law
3 Credits

Covers state and federal laws concerning the environment, including chemical safety laws, workplace safety, and hazardous waste.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 218 Bankruptcy Law
3 Credits

Focuses on the federal and state laws and procedures involving bankruptcy.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 227 Immigration Law
3 Credits

Provides an understanding of the United States Immigration laws.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better

PAR 228 Intellectual Property
3 Credits

Covers the federal and state laws regarding intellectual property.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 115 and 118 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.

PAR 275 Special Topics
1–6 Variable Credits

Provides students with a vehicle to pursue in-depth exploration of special topics of interest.

PAR 285 Independent Study
1–6 Variable Credits

Meets the individual needs of students. Students engage in intensive study or research under the direction of a qualified Instructor.

PREREQUISITE: Instructor’s permission.

PAR 287 Cooperative Education
1–6 Variable Credits

Provides students an opportunity to gain practical experience in applying their occupational skills and/or to develop specific skills in a practical work setting. The Instructor will work with the student to select an appropriate work site, establish learning objectives and to coordinate learning activities with the employer or work site supervisor.

PREREQUISITE: PAR 115 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission

PAR 289 Capstone
1–6 Variable Credits
Emphasizes a synthesis of the information and skills that students learned throughout their paralegal studies.

PREREQUISITES: PAR 110, PAR 114, PAR 115, PAR 116, PAR 118 and PAR 201 with a grade of “C” or better or Instructor’s permission.