Sample Course Syllabus PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP I: (PGL 2020) PARALEGAL INTERNSHIP II: (PLG 2021) CONTACT INFORMATION: Instructor: Daphne A. Morris, B.A., J.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Business, Economics, and Legal Studies Office: BU 404 Office Hours: Fall Semester – see the Instructor’s web site Spring Semester – see the Instructor’s web site Summer Session – by appointment E-Mail: [email protected] Web Site: http://www.itc.csmd.edu/bus/daphneM/index.htm Office Phone 301.934.7601 or 800.933.9177, extension 7601 & Voice Mail: (During the Fall and Spring semesters, phone messages are returned during office hours. Summer Session students should contact the instructor at home with the number provided in a separate email) Department Fax: 301.934.7692 (Write my name on your cover sheet) Mailing Address: Daphne A. Morris, BUS Dept., P.O. Box 910, La Plata, MD 20646 COURSE INFORMATION: Section(s): PGL 2020 – Paralegal Internship I PGL 2021 – Paralegal Internship II Credit Hours: Three (3) Prerequisites: 1. PGL 1210, Legal Research, and 2. BAD 1330, Microcomputer Software Applications for Business, and 3. PGL 1041, Legal Ethics and Law Office Management, and 4. 15 additional credits earned toward associates degree in Paralegal Studies; and 5. Approval by Department Chair COURSE DESCRIPTION: Internships are a form of cooperative education. Cooperative education allows students to combine academic study with on-the-job experience. The major objective of cooperative education is the application of classroom theory in a work environment. These courses are specifically designed for students who are pursuing the Paralegal Studies A.A.S. degree. NOTE: Cooperative education is primarily an academic program. Academic credit is granted for the new learning that occurs while you are working, not just for the work you perform. SPECIFIC COURSE OBJECTIVES: 1. Cooperative students must complete 150 hours at jobs related to their program of study. 2. The student will: o Apply and reinforce classroom theory, such as knowledge of the judicial system, legal writing, legal resources, legal documents, legal ethics, and law office management, in the work environment under the ultimate supervision of one or more attorneys. o Utilize legal writing and research skills by preparing one or more research assignments pertinent to the co-op position. o Gain practical on-the-job experience in a legal environment (such as a private attorneys’ office, governmental agency, real estate office, or insurance firm). o Satisfactorily complete co-op work assigned by the employer. o Understand and appreciate the need for continued career development throughout one’s career o Increase self-awareness and capabilities while developing maturity and encouraging self-reliance. 3. In addition, the student will develop 3 to 6 individualized learning objectives with the help of the faculty advisor and the work supervisor. These learning objectives are included on the Training Plan REQUIRED MATERIALS There are no required textbooks. However, the following documents are required:        CSM Cooperative Education Student Guide (available on the web or Career Services) Cooperative Education Agreement Cooperative Education Training Plan Student’s Time Sheet(s) Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation (Supervisor Evaluation) Student Evaluation Academic Evaluation These documents are available from the instructor; they can also be downloaded from the instructor’s website. ASSIGNMENTS & GRADING The student will be graded on a pass/fail basis. To pass, the student must complete the following assignments to a level deemed acceptable by the faculty advisor. The Academic Evaluation form, attached below, details the grading process 1. Complete and submit the Cooperative Education Agreement 2. Develop a training plan, including 3 to 6 individualized learning objectives, with your employer and faculty advisor. 3. Submit the Cooperative Education Training Plan 4. Meet with your faculty advisor pursuant to your Training Plan. 5. Work a minimum of 225 hours. 6. Satisfactorily complete work assignments. 7. Be prepared for job site visits pursuant to your Training Plan. 8. Maintain weekly time sheets. 9. Complete the assigned project or projects (as detailed in your Training Plan). 10. Complete a Project Notebook. College of Southern Maryland Cooperative Education ACADEMIC EVALUATION - PARALEGAL INTERSHIP AND COOPERATIVE Faculty Advisor: Student Name: Email: Daphne A. Morris Work Phone: Supervisor: Semester Section: Course: PGL 2020 PGL 2910 PGL 2021 Supervisor Phone: PGL 2920 ACADEMIC SUPERVISION (Date and methods used to monitor student’s progress): Meeting with College Advisor (ACS) or PGL Faculty Approval by Department Chair (section added) Student registers Orientation Session with Faculty Advisor Student submits completed/signed Cooperative Education Agreement to Faculty Advisor Student submits draft Training Plan (with learning objectives) to Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review Training Plan (with learning objectives) Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor Student submits final/signed Training Plan to Faculty Advisor Student adds information to Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation & submits Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress Faculty Advisor & Student meet to review progress Site Visit/Contact by Faculty Advisor Employer completes Cooperative Education Performance Evaluation Student Notebook received from student and contains: copy of Cooperative Education Agreement copy of Training Plan copy of all Time Sheets the project(s) (per the learning objectives) the Student Evaluation copy of work assignments (if applicable) copy of new resume ACADEMIC EVALUATION (Methods to evaluate the student’s performance and assign a grade) Student-written learning objectives Faculty Advisor/Student conferences Project(s) Student Evaluation Student Resume Consultation with Supervisor Employer Performance Evaluation Student Notebook (items included) Copy of completed work assignments