New and Updated Course Descriptions

PLS 250 - Paralegal Communication Skills

1 Credit

This course provides basic communications skills needed by paralegals as perceived by both paralegals and the lawyers and other professionals with whom they work. These skills include listening, writing, speaking, conflict resolution, assertiveness, and nonverbal communications. Listening activities include: exercises which develop active listening strategies and notetaking. Writing activities include exercises to construct clear sentences, compose letters which obtain and transmit information, and summarize facts. Speaking activities include exercises to fully, clearly and effectively obtain and relay information. Nonverbal activities include strategies and tactics for effective law office communications. Students learn to identify their own communication styles and methods for improving their communication effectiveness.

Prerequisite(s): PLS 260 or permission of program director.

Course Learning Outcomes
1.Develop active listening strategies to obtain information for note taking.
2.Appraise verbal strategies to obtain and relay information.
3.Create letters and documents using proper grammar and spelling appropriate for a legal setting.
4.Illustrate strategies or tactics for effective law office communications.
5.Role-play using assertiveness that is appropriate for a legal setting.
6.Collaborate using conflict resolution strategies appropriate for a legal setting.

Course Offered Fall