CCOG for PL 107 archive revision 201403

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Effective Term:
Summer 2014 through Fall 2016

Course Number:
PL 107
Course Title:
Techniques of Interview
Credit Hours:
3
Lecture Hours:
30
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Students study and conduct simulated interviews. Audit available.

Addendum to Course Description

Student learns and practices how to interview clients to obtain information needed to accomplish a specific task.  A core course, required for a Legal Assistant Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon successful completion student will be able to:

Plan and conduct client and witness interviews
Use effective communication and psychological techniques and styles to enhance interview process
Apply fundamental legal ethical concepts that arise in client and witness contacts, particularly involving unauthorized practice of law
Utilize professional resources for paralegals in planning and conducting interviews
Record and communicate results of investigations and interviews

Course Activities and Design

Class is combination of lecture, discussion and small group interaction with role playing interviews, evaluation and feedback.  Students learn to apply interviewing techniques, apply knowledge of substantive law and to build rapport with interviewee to obtain information in a simulated legal environment.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Grades will be based upon:  in and out of class applications of techniques studied; midterm and final exams that are short essay and ask students to analyze fact patterns and discuss appropriate interview techniques; informal teacher observation of student interviews.

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Student should be able to:
 

  1. Recognize information relevant to areas of substantive law.
  2. Evaluate information to formulate interview questions.
  3. Articulate skills that enhance the interview process, and articulate various styles and psychological techniques applicable to legal interviewing.

Related Instruction

Communication
Hours: 40

Outcomes:

Ability to plan and conduct client and witness interviews
Use effective communication and psychological techniques and styles to enhance interview process
Apply fundamental legal ethical concepts that arise in client and witness contacts, particularly involving unauthorized practice of law
Utilize professional resources for paralegals in planning and conducting interviews
Record and communicate results of investigations and interviews

Activities:

Role play, mock interviews, peer feedback, observing and participating in interviews, reading and classroom presentations, discussions of text problems

Human Relations
Hours: 30

Outcomes:

Ability to plan and conduct client and witness interviews
Use effective communication and psychological techniques and styles to enhance interview process
Apply fundamental legal ethical concepts that arise in client and witness contacts, particularly involving unauthorized practice of law
Utilize professional resources for paralegals in planning and conducting interviews
Record and communicate results of investigations and interviews

Activities:

Role play, mock interviews, peer feedback, observing and participating in interviews, reading and classroom presentations, discussions of text problems