Instructions to Course and Classwork
                                                             Law & Aging
updated: 6/16/00

Law & Aging deals with legal issues related to aging and elder law. 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 typewritten 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 first 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 & Aging
  
  
• The class is basically divided into lecture notes, discussions, quizzes, and assignments, and all of these are located on the class homepage
  
  
• You should first join the listbot for the class. This is required of all students. To do this just click on listbot, then type in your email address (e.g. abogado@pacbell.net is my email address) You will then be asked to type in your first name, and last name. It will also ask you for a password ( I suggest you just use the same password as your email so you do not have to memorize another password)
  
  You then need to go back to your email, open it up and you will have received an email from lisbot "verification required", and just click on "reply all/send", and your email will send the verifier code back to listbot and you will be joined. You may send an email to the class at elderlawsp201@listbot.com, and you may view the archive of listbot messages at View List Archive. Prof. J. will send announcements and updated grades using listbot so it is very important to join this.
  
  
• 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.
  
  
• 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 is due in three (3) different ways. (1) check the archive of messages on listbot, and if you belong to listbot, you will get an email message on updated work and grades (2) check the "updates" on our webpage (3) check the Calendar we use for the Paralegal Program.
  
  
• The Syllabus for "Law & Aging" is located at Syllabus.
  
  
• Grades will be posted regularly 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
  
  
• Elder Law (Law & Aging) 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)
  
  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 & Aging, 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.  You may also wish to contact Clive Gordon in the Counseling Department to discuss your career and get assistance in setting and achieving your career goals. Our College now has a Career Center, and you may wish to check out our Career Center webpage.
  
  
• 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) unexcused 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 participating 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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