Description:

This course will introduce the student to the types of specialized informational resources used to perform legal research, including both print and electronic media. The student will become familiar with the major characteristics of these resources and how to use them. The student will learn how to design a research strategy, and will learn a systematic method for researching legal issues and managing the legal research process. Numerous opportunities will be provided for skill development in the use of the these resources. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Define the forms of law and identify their sources.
2. Identify and describe the principal types of legal informational resources.
3. Identify and describe the publishing “philosophies” of principal legal publishers.
4. Analyze and frame a legal issues.
5. Develop a list of search terms.
6. Create a research plan.
7. Identify and utilize relevant print and electronic sources of secondary authority.
8. Identify and utilize relevant print and electronic sources of primary authority.
9. Perform cite-checking of relevant legal authorities, in both print and electronic sources.
10. Cite legal authorities in written documents according to an accepted legal citation manual.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction
   A. Explain Types of Legal Informational Resources
      1. Explain secondary authority and identify examples.
      2. Explain primary authority and identify examples.
   B. List Sources and Forms of Law
      1. Explain legislation and identify its sources.
      2. Explain case law and identify its sources.
 
II. Legal Research in Print and Electronic Resources
   A. Explain the general characteristics of print and electronic
resources.
   B. Differentiate the advantages and disadvantages. 
   C. Identify the major legal databases available online or in CD-ROM
format, such as Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw.
   D. Explain the use of public-access internet sites of legal research.

III. Development of a Plan
   A. Identify the problem: analysis
      1. Frame a legal issue.
      2. Analyze the accompanying factual situation.
   B. List Search Terms
      1. Utilize dictionaries, thesauri, and other resources to develop a
list of subject headings.
      2. Prioritize search terms in order to identify best starting
point.
   C. Explain a Research Strategy
      1. Identify relevant resources.
      2. Identify and utilize various cite-checking resources, in both
print and electronic format.

IV. Secondary Resources
   A. Explain objectives of using “secondary” authorities.
   B. Identify advantages and disadvantages of secondary authorities.
   C. Utilize legal reference materials, such as legal dictionaries.
   D. Utilize legal treatises, including hornbooks and Restatements.
   E. Utilize Attorney General opinions.
   F. Utilize legal periodicals.
   G. Utilize Uniform Laws and Model Acts.
   H. Utilize practitioner materials, such as CLE publications.
   I. Utilize looseleaf service publications.
   J. Utilize legal directories.

V. Primary Resources
   A. Explain objectives of using “primary” authorities.
   B. Identify advantages and disadvantages of primary authorities.
   C. Utilize federal and state constitution.
   D. Utilize federal and state statutes.
   E. Utilize federal and state administrative agency regulations.
   F.  Utilize federal and state court judicial opinions.
   G. Utilize appropriate print resources for acquisition of legal primary
authorities.
   H. Utilize appropriate public-access internet site for acquisition of
legal primary authorities.
   I. Utilize Lexis-Nexis for acquisition of legal primary authorities.

VI. Research Validation
   A. Explain the objective of “cite-checking.”
   B. Identify and utilize various cite-checking resources, in both print
and electronic format

VII. Citation of Informational Research
   A. List the Sources of Legal Citation Rules.
      1. Utilize and accepted legal citation manual.
      2. Utilize local court rules governing citation form.
   B. List Principle Rules
      1. Utilize citation rules for secondary authority.
      2. Utilize citation rules for constitutions.
      3. Utilize citation rules for statutes.
      4. Utilize citation rules for agency regulations.
      5. Utilize citation rules for citing of case law.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

A minimum of two examinations     25% of course grade
Research exercises and projects   75% of course grade
                                 100%

Grade Criteria: 	90-100%  = A
			80-89%   = B
			70-79%   = C
		        60-69%   = D
			Under 60%=F

Caveats: NONE

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.