Legal Studies | Davenport Programs

Legal Studies (PARALGL AS)

60 Credits

ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE • 60 CREDITS • PARALGL AS

Davenport University’s American Bar Association (ABA) approved Associate of Science in Legal Studies program prepares students to work in a law firms, corporations, government agency, the judiciary, non-profits and other law-related setting, through studies that focus on effective communication skills, critical thinking, litigation procedures, computer applications for the law offices, ethics and various legal specialties. The student will benefit from classes that combine legal theory with a practical focus and will receive hands-on experience performing the types of tasks typically performed by paralegals. Although paralegals play a key role in providing legal services to clients, only attorneys may accept cases, give legal advice, represent clients in court, or provide other direct legal services to clients.

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Foundations of Excellence		21 Credits
ACES100 or OPEN	Achieving Career and Education Success or (if exempt) Open Elective ACES100 - This course presents the skills needed for university success and initiates students to career planning and development. Students evaluate their abilities and interests in order to develop career goals and align these goals with an appropriate course of study. Through a career investigation project, students are introduced to research techniques. Students also improve on academic skills necessary to successfully complete university work, such as critical thinking, study techniques, and test taking strategies. In addition, students are introduced to important dynamics of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution. The course also orients students to the University, to the Davenport University Excellence System, and to other elements of the Davenport curriculum. (This course is required for all new business and technology students, except those transferring with 30 or more semester credits.) Open Elective - Any course at the 100 level or above that is not already required in program.	3
COMM120	This course introduces and applies the theories and principles of effective communication. Students learn to organize and present clear, logical messages to specific audiences. They develop confidence in public speaking and increase their ability to inform and persuade listeners. They also implement critical thinking and listening skills. Finally, students exhibit the skills and tools necessary to construct, organize, and deliver effective speeches. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
ECON200 or ECON201	Microeconomics or Macroeconomics ECON200 Microeconomics This course introduces students to economics. Students learn the basics of supply and demand; the market economy; elasticity; the foundation of consumer demand; the theory of the business firm and costs of production; the market structures of perfect competition, monopoly, oligopoly, and monopolistic competition; theories of labor unions and wages; antitrust policy; and the microeconomic view of international business. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109 and MATH120 or MATH125 ECON201 Macroeconomics This course introduces students to economics, the schools of economic thought, and international economics. Students learn the methodology, concepts, and terminology of macroeconomics, including principles, theories, and tools. They also study banking, money, the Federal Reserve System, and monetary theory. In addition, macroeconomic problems such as inflation, unemployment, economic growth, and globalization are discussed. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109 and MATH120 or MATH125	3
ENGL109	This course introduces students to expository and persuasive writing. Employing critical thinking and the writing process, students will compose academic essays utilizing a variety of modes. They will also analyze and respond to a variety of academic and professional readings. Students will evaluate information and audience to improve form and content. Students are also introduced to the research process, including finding, evaluating, and documenting sources, to complete a short research project using the American Psychological Association Style. Note: ENGL109L is a 0 credit hour lab utilized in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores or successful completion of ENGL021. Student must also complete a diagnostic writing sample.
ENGL110	This course further develops the skills in expository and persuasive writing that were introduced in ENGL109, English Composition. Students develop critical thinking through the creation of essays and documents that use argumentation and persuasion. As a team, students collaborate to present a required assignment to the class. Students learn to research, evaluate, and incorporate information from both primary and secondary sources, to document secondary sources using APA format, and to analyze information and audiences to improve form and content. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
SOSC201	This course introduces students to the complex issues surrounding diversity in U.S. society and to the need for understanding difference in an increasingly globalized world. Students will explore the social-historical context of multiple experiences on individual, cultural and institutional levels. They will analyze the complex interactions regarding diversity in organizations. Students will also evaluate their own thoughts, attitudes, and behaviors in order to understand their roles in a diverse society. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
MATH120 or MATH125	College Mathematics or Intermediate Algebra MATH120 College Mathematics Students in this course will explore and apply college-level mathematical concepts so as to enhance their critical and creative thinking skills. Topics will include i) problem solving, ii) set theory and real numbers, iii) linear, quadratic, exponential, and logarithmic functions, and iv) counting techniques and probability. Other topics of interest will be selected from graph theory, prime numbers, logic, number representation, and voting theory. Additional course fee(s) apply for MATH120L, a 0 credit hour lab utilized in the Accelerated Learning Program (ALP). Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores or successful completion of MATH030. Students must also successfully complete an assessment exam on the first day of class. MATH125 Intermediate Algebra This course is designed to prepare students for the traditional calculus sequence. Course coverage includes the definitions, properties, and arithmetic of algebraic expressions, solving equations and inequalities, an introduction to functions, graphing equations and functions (e.g., linear, quadratic, rational, radical, exponential, and logarithmic). The course also includes a brief introduction to right triangle trigonometry. Techniques of problem solving and applications are integrated throughout the course. Note: A grade of C or above is required to take MATH135 or MATH150. Additional Course Fee(s) apply. Prerequisite(s): Appropriate test scores or successful completion of MATH030. Students must also successfully complete an assessment exam on the first day of class.	3

Foundations of Business		18 Credits
ACCT200	This course is designed strictly for the non-business major. It is a comprehensive survey course of financial and managerial accounting concepts that discusses the financial aspects of starting and growing a business. Specifically, the course explores the role of accounting in business, examining the balance sheet, profit/loss statements, and cash flow reports. Students will also learn how to analyze financial statements and financial trends. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
BITS211	Students create and manipulate spreadsheets with MS Excel to solve business applications. It is expected that students have a familiarity with spreadsheet software, as the course quickly progresses to advanced features, including data validation, linked workbooks, pivot tables, lookup functions, solver, and scenario manager. By the end of the semester, students will have the prerequisite skills to take applicable certification testing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): MATH120 or MATH125
BITS214	This course expands on prior word processing knowledge. Students study advanced commands and features of industry-standard word processing software for production of various business documents. Some areas of study include macros, mail merge, sharing data, compiling specialized tables, collaborative tools, and forms. Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the prerequisite skills to take applicable certification testing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Recommended Prerequisite(s): CISP100
BUSN210	This course explores applied ethics, focusing on social and professional situations especially in the fields of business, law, and technology. Students learn ethical theory as they examine the complexities of ethical dilemmas. Students also compare and contrast ethical and moral systems. In addition, students apply creative and critical thinking to ethical dilemmas involving professional and social responsibility. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees.
HRMG213	This course is an overview of the responsibilities of a human resource management department in a business setting. The elements of job analysis, recruitment, selection, training and assessment, are described. Additionally, compensation and benefits administration, labor relations and the legislative and legal decisions affecting human resource policy are explored. Various workplace situations are examined through the use of problem solving exercises and discussion. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): HLTH211 or MGMT211
MGMT211	This course provides a foundation in basic management principles with special application and focus on the supervisory level of management. The four universal functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) are explored. Students learn the theories and study their impact on the history of management practices. Proper case analysis process is also examined and applied through the discussion of various supervisory/managerial case situations. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL109

Major		21 Credits
LEGL101	Students are introduced to basic legal vocabulary, the federal and state court systems, and legal ethics. They also become familiar with a variety of law-related working environments. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): ENGL109
LEGL213	Students are introduced to areas of legal liability commonly encountered by individuals and business as well as to the methods of liability avoidance. Topics covered include intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, product liability, malpractice, premises liability, dramshop, consumer protection, and other areas of tort liability. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): LEGL101
LEGL215	This course is designed to familiarize students with the basic requirements of the Michigan Rules of Court and the litigation process. The purpose is to enable them to assist the attorney in preparation of legal papers and documents in a timely and comprehensive manner. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): LEGL101
LEGL216	Students are introduced to the published sources of law and research strategies utilized to efficiently analyze legal issues and determine the current state of the law. Students learn to use print resources, as well as computer assisted research tools to access primary and secondary sources of law. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110 Prerequisite(s): LEGL101
LEGL218	Students apply their legal research skills to draft pleadings, discovery documents, memoranda, briefs, correspondence and other documents commonly utilized in legal settings. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): ENGL110 Prerequisite(s): LEGL216
LEGL220	This course provides an opportunity for students to use computer technology and its application within law firms and other entities engaged in the practice of law. It covers the use of technology in, e-discovery, office management, case management, litigation presentation and billing. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Co-requisite(s): LEGL101 for students seeking the Post-Baccalaureate only Prerequisite(s): BITS211 (required for associate’s and bachelor’s degree seeking students) and LEGL101.
LEGL301	Students are introduced to legal problems encountered in business formation, operation, and acquisition, including the law concerning sole proprietorships, general and limited partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. They are also introduced to related business law concepts. Applicable Course Fees can be found at https://my.davenport.edu/financial-aid/how-much-does-du-cost/tuition-and-fees. Prerequisite(s): LEGL101

Legal Studies (PARALGL AS)

Which class should I take? When should I take it?

Foundations of Excellence

Foundations of Business

Major