Fall 2026
Introduction to Law and the Legal Professions
Instructor: Tieranny Decuir
Email: decuirts@lamarpa.edu
Phone: (409) 984-6548
Office Hours: Monday -9:00am-4:30pm, Wednesday -9:00am-4:30pm, Thursday -2:00pm-4:00pm, Friday- Appointment Only
Additional Contact Information: None
Overview of the law and the legal professions including legal concepts, systems, and terminology; substantive areas of law and the federal and state judicial systems; ethical obligations and regulations; professional trends and issues with emphasis on the paralegal's role.
Introduction to Law for Paralegals, Fifth Edition ISBN 9798886142211 Publisher- Aspen Publishing
Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Law
Chapter 2: The Participants in the Legal System
Chapter 2 (concluded): The Participants in the Legal System
Chapter 4: Bringing a Legal Action
Chapter 4 (concluded): Bringing a Legal Action
Chapter 5: Law Office Management
Chapter 6: Ethics and the Law
Chapter 7: Trials
Chapter 8: Appeals
Chapter 9: Personal Injury Law (Torts)
Chapter 9 (repeated): Personal Injury Law (Torts)
Chapter 10: Contracts and Business Law
Chapter 11: Criminal Law
Chapter 11 (concluded): Criminal Law
Chapter 13: Real Property Law (begun)
Chapter 13: Real Property Law
Chapter 14: Wills and Trusts
Chapter 15: Family Law
Chapter 18: Researching the Law
Chapter 19: Legal Writing
Week 1 Chapter 1: Introduction to Law
Week 2 Chapter 2: The Participants in the Legal System
Week 3 Chapter 2 (concluded): The Participants in the Legal System Chapter 4: Bringing a Legal Action -Assignment 1
Week 4 Chapter 4: Bringing a Legal Action- Exam 1
Week 5 Chapter 5: Law Office Management
Week 6 Chapter 6: Ethics and the Law Chapter 7: Trials
Week 7 Chapter 8: Appeals Chapter 9: Personal Injury Law (Torts) -Assignment 2
Week 8 Chapter 9: Personal Injury Law (Torts) -Exam 2
Week 9 Chapter 10: Contracts and Business Law
Week 10 Chapter 11: Criminal Law- Assignment 3
Week11 Chapter 11 (concluded): Criminal Law Chapter 13: Real Property Law (begun)
Week12 Chapter 13: Real Property Law- Exam 3
Week13 Chapter 14: Wills and Trusts
Week14 Chapter 15: Family Law- Assignment 4
Week15 Chapter 18: Researching the Law
Week16 Chapter 19: Legal Writing- Final Exam
Friday December 4th , 2026 - 8:00 AM - Monday December 7th , 2026 - 11:59 PM
Student must make a 70 (C) or above in order to pass this class.
Discussions- 20%
Exams - 30%
Assignments - 30%
Final Exam - 20%
Weekly Expectations
1. Read the assigned chapter(s) for the week.
2. View the PowerPoints for the designated chapters.
3. Complete all weekly assignments in Blackboard Ultra by the posted deadlines.
Exams & Assignments
All exams will open during their designated week. If a student fails to complete an exam before the closing date, a zero will be given unless an excused absence is provided (e.g., illness, COVID, doctor’s appointment). Students with excused absences must arrange with the instructor to complete a make-up exam. Exams may include: Multiple-choice questions , True/False questions , Short answer questions , Essay questions , Fill-in-the-blank questions
Textbooks
Students must have a copy of the required textbook or eBook no later than the second week of class (or as soon as it is available from the bookstore). Grading Grades will be posted in Blackboard. Students are responsible for keeping track of their own grades and averages; instructors will not calculate averages for students. Grades will not be discussed over the phone. To discuss grades, students must meet with the instructor in person during office hours or communicate via email.
Make-Up & Late Work
Acceptance of late or make-up work is at the instructor’s discretion.
Conditional AI Policy
The emergence of generative AI tools has sparked interest among students in our discipline. These tools can support brainstorming, exploring possible responses, and creatively engaging with course material. While AI can provide feedback, assistive technology, and language support, it cannot replace working directly with your instructor. Please contact me in advance if you plan to use AI tools for assignments so we can clarify what is acceptable.
Guidelines for AI Use in this Course:
1. Attribution Required: Students must give credit for any AI-assisted work, even if it is used only to generate ideas rather than final text or illustrations. When AI is used in assignments, include an appendix detailing: a. The AI interactions, highlighting the relevant sections. b. How AI was used (e.g., generating ideas, refining language, exploring concepts). c. Why AI was used (e.g., to save time, overcome writer’s block, stimulate thinking, clarify prose).
2. Prohibited Use: AI-generated content may not be submitted as your own work for assignments, exams, or projects unless explicitly approved. Use of AI in in-class examinations or for graded assignments without permission is prohibited.
3. Responsible Use: Use AI tools wisely and reflectively, with the goal of deepening your understanding of the subject matter. You are fully responsible for verifying the accuracy of AI-assisted content, ensuring it does not violate academic honesty standards, intellectual property laws, or privacy regulations. AI may be used for research preparation, text editing, or idea generation, but all submitted work must be written and finalized by the student.
4. Academic Integrity: Misrepresenting AI-assisted work as entirely your own constitutes academic misconduct. Violations of this policy will be handled according to Lamar State College Port Arthur academic integrity policies.
Instructor Guidance:
Instructors may provide specific guidance on AI use in class exercises and projects. Students are encouraged to ask for clarification if unsure whether a particular use of AI is acceptable.
Academic Integrity
Any student caught cheating or lending their work to another student will receive a zero on the assignment. Note: There is a difference between helping someone understand the work and giving them your assignment to copy. Any student caught cheating on an exam or final will receive an “F” for the course.
Student Responsibilities:
Students must regularly check their email and Blackboard Ultra for class updates, schedule changes, or announcements. Failure to follow written or oral instructions may result in penalties.
Technical Issues:
Blackboard Issues: Login, password, or software problems must be resolved through the IT Department. Students should inform the instructor of any delays that cannot be resolved before deadlines. Pearson Issues: Contact Pearson Technical Support directly. Students must notify the instructor if Pearson-related issues cause delays in coursework completion.
This is an online course where attendance is based on active participation through weekly assignments and discussion posts. Students must complete and submit all weekly assignments and participate meaningfully in discussion forums by the posted deadlines. Failure to complete assignments or participate in discussions may result in being marked absent for that week.
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Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Room 117, in the Student Sucess Center. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.
If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.