Paralegal
2002-2003 Career Diploma Program--Paralegal

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2002-2003
                Career Dilpoma Program--Paralegal
                                            Education Direct
Independent Learning Catalog

Table of Contents
 
                                  3 You're Future as a Paralegal
                                  4 Learn to Be a Paralegal at Home
                                  8 The Education Direct Student Experience
                                10 Count on Us Every Step of the Way
                                11 Answers to Questions You May Have
                                12 You're Making the Right Choice
                                13 You're Education is Nationally Accredited
                                14 Graduation
                                15 You Can Begin Today!
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                                                                     Your Future as a Paralegal
 
You're about to learn how to train how you can train at home for a rewarding career as a Paralegal. Make your career dream a reality! Just think, in a matter of months, you can earn a Career Diploma from nationally accredited Education Direct. And you can earn it at home, in your spare time, without attending classes!
 
As a Paralegal, you'll play a vital role in the law office. You'll be responsible for tasks such as legal research, drafting documents, and trial preparation. You'll be rewarded regularly with the special satisfaction that comes with working on an important case.
 
As a Paralegal you can earn up to $56, 000 a year!* In addition, The U.S. Department of Labor predicts a 33% increase in the number of job opportunities for Paralegals 2010.** You may work for a private law form, coporate legal department, or government agency in an exciting area such as civil and criminal litigation, real estate, or estates and trusts. Your Education Direct training can help you get the confidence that comes with doing important work and doing it well.
 
Now you can be a part of this rewarding profession--all you need is ambition, the desire to succeed, you r high school diploma or GED, and the skills you'll learn from the Education Direct Paralegal Program.
 
 

Private law firms will continue to be the largest employers of paralegals, but a growing array of other organizations, such as corporate legal departments, insurance companies, real estate and title insurance firms, and banks will also continue to hire paralegals.*

*Source: Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor.

*All salary information is based on the Occupational Outlook Handbook, a publication of the U.S. Department of Labor. Individual student earning vary.
**Growth figures represent a ten-year period ending 2010. Source: National Industry-Occupation Employment Matrix, a publication on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 

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Learn to Be a Paralegal at Home
 
Your complete at-home learning experience includes:
  • Books
  • Learning Aids
  • Special Supplements
  • Toll-Free Instructional Support
  • Student ID Card/Handbook
  • Legal Dictionary

And Much MoreAll at no extra cost to you.

Overview:
Here's a look at the specifics--what you'll learn and the materials you'll recieve as a student in the Education Direct Paralegal Program.

Instruction Module 1
Learning Strategies
The advantages of learning at home; types of study materials; types of examination; accessing and using the features or our website; determining what kind of learner you are; establishing a study schedule; using study tips; preparing for and taking examinations.
The Paralegal Profession
An introduction to the Paralegal career field; education, qualifications, and  certifications; personal charateristics; places of employment; typical paralegal duties.

Instruction Module 2
U.S. Court System, Part 1
The foundations of modern law and the justice system; the English common law system; case law and precedence; the codification of law; different areas of law; structure of the couort system; federal vs. state courts.
U.S. Court System, Part 2
Civil vs. criminal litigation; litigation in federal vs. state courts; state laws, procedures, rules of court, including local rules of court; federal laws, procedures, and rules of court; the paralegal's role in litigation.
Written Communication 1
The parts of speech; types of sentences; recognizing comon errors in sentences; the purpose of punctuation; capitalization.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise.
Supplements: Legal Specialties Student Journal Set
Poster: U.S. Court System

Instruction Module 3
Written Communication 2
Editing and proofreading correspondence; formatting business letters; formal and informal reports; selecting and addressing business envelopes.
Written Communication 3
Using a dictionary and thesaurus; using synonyms, antonyms, and homonyms; forming plurals and posessives of nouns.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise 3
Supplement: Winning with Words

Instruction Module 4
Interpersonal Communication
Elements of oral communication; using correct grammar; reading body language; practicing professionalism, ettiquette, and stress management.
Graded Project: Interpersonal Communication
Practical exercise designed to improve your interpersonal communication skills.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise 4
Audiotape: Voice and Diction

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Instruction Module 5
Legal Terminology, Part 1
The basics of legal terminology; specific terms for litigation and torts.
Legal Terminology, Part 2
Specific terms for criminal law, contract law, real property, family law, and other areas of law.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise 5
Audiotape: Legal Terminology
Reference:Legal Dictionary
Software: Flash!® Legal Terminology Software
At this point in your program, you will need to have to an IBM®-compatible PC with the following minimum hardware and software requirements: IBM®-compatible with a PC with a Pentium® 133MHz or higher processor; Microsoft® Windows® 98, Windows® 98 Second Edition, Windows® Millenium Edition, Windows NT® 4.0 with Service Pack 6.0 or later, or Windows® 2000 Professional or later operating system; 24MB of RAM (Windows® 98.Windows® 98 Second Edition) plus an additional 8MB of RAM for each application running simultaneously; 32MB of RAM (Windows® Me/Windows NT® 4.0) plus an additional 8MB of RAM for each program running simultaneously; 64MB of RAM (Windows® 2000 Professional) plus an additional 8MB of RAM for each application running simultaneously; 210MB available hard-disk space with 115MB on the hard disk where the operating system is installed; CD-ROM drive; Super VGA or higher resolution monitor; mouse or compatible pointing device. Yoou will also need to maintain an internet account.
 
Instruction Module 6
How the Law Works
Function and sources of law; the legal community in America; ethical considerations for the paralegal; jurisdiction; "briefing" a case; due process.
Conducting Legal Investigations and Interviews
Considerations for investigators and interviewers; statutory immunities and privelege; types and natures of evidence; how cases are investigated; how interviews are conducted.
Graded Project: Practicing Your Investigative Skills
Practical exercise designed to improve your investigative and interviewing skills.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise 6
 
Instructional Module 7
Developing Critical Thinking
How to analyze the logic of arguments; cheap tactic strategies; including emotional manipulation and agenda promotion; how to determine valid reasoning.
Ethics and Professional Responsibility
Professional ethics; the unauthorized practice of law; working as an independent contract; confidentiality issues; including attorney-client privelege; conflicts of interest; advertising and solicitation.
Graded Project: Thinking Critically about Ethics
Practival exercise designed to heighten your awareness of important ethical issues.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise
Video: "Beyond Black and White"
 
Instruction Module 8
Business Law
Types of business organization; sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations; advantages and disadvatages of business types; law of agency; paralegal's role.
Graded Project: Business Law
Practical exercise to apply what you have learned about business law.
Torts
Definition of torts; tort law, categories of tort; negligence defined; typical defenses; liability; state-specific tort laws.
Graded Project: Torts
Practical exercise to apply what you have learned about torts in your state.
Learning Aid: Journal Esercise 8
 
Instruction Module 9
Technologies in the Office
LAN and WAN; wireless transmissions and image systems; cellular phones; personal computers.
PC Basics
Personal computer basics; hardware devices and peripherals; types of software.
Learning Aid: Journal Exercise 9
CD-ROM: Typing Instructor
 

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This Week's Assignment

Read Act II of "Othello" and answer the study questions on page 76 of your text.

Next Week's Assignment

Read Act III of "Othello". Be prepared to discuss Iago's motives and to draw parallels with contemporary society.

Need some help with this week's assignment? Check out the "Tips and Hints" page.