Law 10 is the first class in the Paralegal Studies Program, and is an introductory course which formalizes the career of the legal assistant. It is an introduction to law, social forces and the law, a comparison of the role of the lawyer and the legal assistant, and an introduction to legal terminology and research. The course description gives the student some more information about the class.

Notes about this class

• we use the internet and a class webpage for this class.
  
  
• you do not have to take a computer class to do this course. you will learn in class, how to cut and paste, and other computer skills, including getting and using your own email account.
  
  
• if you do not have a computer you can always print out the assignments and hand them in to Prof. J. either in typwritten or handwritten form
  
  
• our Paralegal homepage is located at http://www.vcsun.org/~djordan
  
  
• the easiest way to get to our class home page is to go to lamission.org/law or to missionlaw.itgo.com, and click on Law 10 Spring 2001, or you can go to http://lamission.org, then click on class web pages, then "P" at top of the index, then Paralegal Studies webpage, then under Spring 2001, Law 10 - Intro to Law
  
  
• The class is basically divided into lecture notes, discussions, quizzes, and assignments, and all of these are located on the class homepage
  
  
• You should obtain a free email, and then email Prof. J. your email address so he can place you in the Class Mailing List so you can receive emails updating you on grades, jobs, and classwork.
  
  
• If you do not have your own email account, you may get one at yahoo.com or hotmail.com
  There are countless other free email services.
  
  
• We will cover the textbook in the order outlined in Lectures on our webpage.Textbook : Our textbook for this class is WEST'S BUSINESS LAW by Clarkson, Miller, Jentz, and Cross (Eighth Edition ISBN/ISSN 0-324-01661-1 ). You can purchase this book in the Campus Bookstore or order it online. You may order the 7th Edition textbook through ecampus.com for $77.96 at the following location (West Business Law - 7th Edition). Here is a description of the 8th Edition, and you can order the 8th Edition online for $103.46.
  
  
  
• We will discuss legal questions by using "hypernews threaded discussions". Instructions on how to post your answers to these discussions is located at instructions on how to post. Students are encouraged to look at other students' postings, but do not copy them "verbatim", use your own creative imagination.
  
  
• We will have quizzes after we finish each chapter. You may confirm whether or not an quiz or posting by checking the "schedule" for the class.
  
  
• The Syllabus for Law 10 - Intro to Law is located at Syllabus.
  
  
• Grades will be posted regulary at Grades on our webpage.
  
  
• If you are having problems with the course work, materials, or anything, please contact Prof. J. at 818/546-7060, and set up and appointment. You may also contact him, online, through Javachat. First, though, call and leave a message on Prof.J. voicemail at 818/546-7060, to tell him the date and time you wish to visit him online to discuss the class.
  
  
• You can always contact Prof. J. through email at abogado@pacbell.net
  
  
• Law 10 may be your first class in law. Law is fun, but also difficult to study at times. If you need assistance in learning how to study, then check out the study skills, especially how to study the law. (remember: add 50% to the time you initially think you need to study for this class. You should study at least 6 - 9 hours a week for this class - 1-2 hours reading the chapter materials, 1 hour to post your discussions, 2 hours studying for the quiz, and 1-2 hours for each written assignment)
  
  One of the difficult tasks to learn as a new student in the law is "how to brief" a law case. We will cover 3 or more cases, the Chimel, Katz, and the Chambers case. You should start to read these cases from the start of the semester in order to understand the materials when we cover them in class. The final assignment is to prepare a Motion to Suppress Evidence which will utilize all of the knowledge and skills you have learned in briefing the above cases.
  
  It is important to learn the distinction between a case and a code. Also you will become more familiar how courts work, and their role in the legal system. We will also start to learn how to do legal research and legal writing in class.
  
  
• Welcome to Law 10, and let Prof. Jordan know if you need any help or assistance in this class.
  
• one of the best search engines, even for finding law is Google.com, so try it. You may also find Findlaw very helpful in finding law, and answering your legal questions.
  
  
• information about Paralegal jobs is located at Jobs., and also at lawjobs.itgo.com., and L.A. Mission Career Center.
  
  
• We will be starting Paralegal Internships, Elder Law, and Immigration Law Classes in Spring 2001, along with the Legal Document Assistant Program.
  
  
• Also remember that we have an excellent Index of Legal Documents, and a Site Index A-Z which you should become familiar with.
  
  
• A note on "late assignments". Many students have "legitimate" reasons for turning in late work (quizzes, discussions, and written assignments). It is within the discretion of the instructor (Prof. J) to determine those instances. However, in a majority of cases, students get comfortable in handing in late assignments. All late assignments will be accepted, and graded, and one whole letter grade will be deducted. Reason: it is unfair to both the instructor and the remaining students who work hard in the class to reward "late work".
  
  
• A note of attendance. Prof. J. both calls "roll at the beginning of class", and distributes a "class sign in sheet". If you miss more than three (3) unexecused absences from class, Prof. J. may and can exclude you from class. Be on time for class, and attend class. All 18 classes during the spring and fall semester, and all 12 classes during the summer are required to obtain an "A" in class. If you are going to be sick, or miss a class, you must call or email Prof. J. to let him know of your absence. You can leave a message on his voicemail at 818/546-7060, or email him at abogado@pacbell.net.
  
  
• You are invited to participate in the "Gun Control Debate"., and you can earn extra credit for partipating in it. Please email Prof. J. once you have posted your argument, and posted a critique of another student's argument, advising him of your participation so he can give you extra credit
  
  
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