Course Descriptions for Paralegal Studies

Lower Division

PLST 100. Introduction to Law

A general introduction to the law and the legal system. Focus will be on the role of the attorney and the paralegal within the legal system. (4 units)

Upper Division

PLST 370. Wills, Estates and Trusts

Study of law relating to the control and disposition of property inter vivos (between living persons) and after death, wills, intestate succession (descent and distribution), future interests and trusts, estates in land, principles of estate planning and administration of an estate. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 371. Contract Law

Study of law relating to contract formation, formalities, performance and breach. Effect on a contractual relationship of various types of subsequent conduct by the contracting parties and remedies available for breach. Introduction to the Commercial Code of California. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 372. Tort Law

Legal liability for wrongful interference with the person; tangible property, real and personal; intangible interests; and advantageous relations. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 373. Property Law

Basic principles of law relating to various types of property interests: real and personal, tangible and intangible, public and private; acquisition; bailment; fixtures; deeds; escrow, recording and search of public documents and security instruments in connection with real property. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 376. Family Law

Formation and dissolution of the family unit: custody, support, property rights and obligations. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 377. Fundamentals of Litigation

Studies of trials at common law and in equity, including ex-amination, competency and privileges of witnesses, judicial notice, burden of proof and presumptions; tactics of litigation, discovery, fact investigation, jurisdiction, remedies, civil procedure and drafting of pleadings. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 378. Corporate Law

Legal status of the corporate entity, corporate structure and distribution of powers and duties among shareholders, directors and officers. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 385. Legal Research

Methods of legal research techniques used to resolve legal questions. Introduction to law libraries and the various types and uses of legal materials available in the California and federal systems. (4 units)

PLST 386. Legal Writing

Introduction to the various forms and functions of legal writing using acquired research skills to apply and communicate, in writing, the law as it applies to a specific legal problem. Prerequisite: PLST 385 or consent of instructor. (4 units)

PLST 575. Internship in Paralegal Studies

Supervised work and study in public and private legal organizations. Graded credit/no credit. Prerequisites: completion of PLST 385 and 386, 16 additional units of paralegal certificate course work, and consent of paralegal studies coordinator. (4 units)

PLST 590. Topics in Paralegal Studies

Selected current issues and topics in the paralegal field. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisites: PLST 385 and 386. (Credit to be arranged: 1 to 4 units)

PLST 595. Independent Study

Special topics involving library and/or field research may be repeated for credit for a total of eight units; only four may be used in the major. Prerequisites: a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0, PLST 385 and 386, consent of instructor and coordinator, approval of a written proposal of a project submitted in advance of the quarter in which the course is to be taken. (4 units)