Course Content and Outcome Guide for PL 208
- Course Number:
- PL 208
- Course Title:
- Family Law
- Credit Hours:
- Lecture Hours:
- Lecture/Lab Hours:
- Lab Hours:
- Special Fee:
Course DescriptionCovers theory, procedure, and practical aspects of a domestic relations practice. Includes dissolution of marriage, issues of custody, visitation, property and debts, adoption, paternity, domestic violence, and prenuptial and co-habitation agreements. Audit available.
Intended Outcomes for the courseAn elective satisfying the requirements of either a Legal Assistant Certificate or an Associate of Applied Science degree.
Course Activities and Design
Through lectures and reading of statutes and cases, students are introduced to the theory and practice of Family Law. Students prepare
summaries of cases and construe statutes to develop interview questions and determine areas to be addressed in dissolution pleadings and discovery. Using simulated case facts, students conduct interviews by role playing in class. Students visit a family court and share their
experience with the class. At least one memo analyzing a family law fact situation and applying appropriate statutes and cases will be
Outcome Assessment Strategies
Grades are derived from students' in and out of class work, and their performance on midterm and final exams which combine short answer and longer analytic essay questions.
Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)
* Recognize ethical, practical and legal issues as they arise in a
family law practice.
* Analyze law (statutes and cases) to determine areas or issues
needing to be addressed in a given family law fact pattern.
* Analyze a family law fact pattern to assist the attorney in
application of law and development of resolution.
* Understand family law procedure and its sources.