ST. JOHN’S UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF PROFESSIONAL
STUDIES
Computer Applications in the
Law Office - CUS 1107
Professor Lois
Cherepon
(718)390-4521(Voice)
Spring 2003
COURSE
DESCRIPTION
A basic introduction course to word-processing and other software
applications used in the law office.
Specific applications will include: drafting and editing documents,
documents & file management, use of databases for litigation support, time
accounting & billing, docket control, calendar management, online legal
research, legal research via the Internet, spreadsheet programs, and graphics
presentation programs. A
final project - created using PowerPoint - will include documentation of all the
software programs covered throughout the semester. Weekly assignments, readings &
discussions as assigned.
UNITS OF
INSTRUCTION
Week 1 Jan. 22-26
Introduction to Course,
Introduction to Computers
Readings: Chapters 1 & 2
Week 2 Jan. 27-Feb. 2
Computer Software –
Operating Systems Software
--Operating Systems – Windows
Readings:
Chapters 3 & 4
Week 3 Feb. 3-9
Graphical Presentation
Software – Microsoft PowerPoint
Readings: Chapter 14
Week 4 Feb. 10-16
Word
Processing - Microsoft Word
Readings: Chapter
5
Week 5 Feb. 17-23
Word
Processing - Microsoft Word,
continued
Readings: Chapter
5
Week 6 Feb. 24-Mar.2
Spreadsheet Software – Excel
Readings:
Chapter 6
Week 7 Mar.3-9
Spring Break
Week 8 Mar.10-16
Database Management Systems
- Access
Readings: Chapter 7
Week 9 Mar. 17-23
Computer Assisted Legal Research
(CALR) – Lexis
Readings: Chapter 8
Week 10 Mar. 24-30
Legal Research on the
Internet
Readings: Chapter 9
Week 11 Mar. 31-Apr.6 Litigation Control Software
– Summation Blaze
Readings: Chapter
10
Week 12 Apr. 7-13
Legal Timekeeping/Billing –
Timeslips
Readings:
Chapter 11
Week 13 Apr.14-20
Docket Control Software - Abacus
Readings: Chapter
12
Week 14 Apr. 21-27
Specialized Legal Software –
Family Lawyer
Readings: Chapter 13
Week 15 Apr.28-May 5 Final Project Review - PowerPoint
METHOD OF
INSTRUCTION
General
Overview:
This is an online course,
which is composed of various components: readings, assignments delivered via
e-mail, online discussions, and a final project. The readings and the chapter notes
will assist you with completing your assignments. The creation of your final project
will provide you with the opportunity to incorporate the many software skills
that you will acquire over the semester into a “Course Portfolio.” There are approximately 4
assignments per week in addition to weekly PowerPoint slides for the
Portfolio. Also, there is
approximately one chapter of reading per week, except for the first two weeks
where the readings are doubled. You
are also expected to logon and participate in the weekly discussions posted in
the “Discussions” on WebCT. These postings, a minimum of 3 per
week, will count as your class
participation grade. They
must be substantial and follow the guidelines posted on WebCT. The syllabus is subject to change at
the discretion of your instructor.
You are expected to check the calendar and your e-mail on WebCT at least
twice weekly. You are also
expected to submit your assignments within the week that they are given. Late assignments will not be
accepted. For other course
guidelines and further details about the requirements, please see the
information posted for this course on WebCT under
“Introduction”.
Software
Requirements:
Since this course is being
offered “online”, you need to have access to the following computer
software: Windows, Microsoft Word,
Microsoft Access, Microsoft, Excel, and Microsoft PowerPoint. You will also need access to
Abacus, Summation Blaze, and Timeslips – which are supplied on a compact disc
with your textbook in a demo version of the software. You will need access to the Internet in
order to do legal research via the Internet, and to access Lexis/Nexis via the
SJU Library’s webpage. The
eleventh program listed on the syllabus is Family Lawyer, which will be an
optional assignment.
All of this software is
available on campus at the SJU libraries and in the microcomputer labs. In the event you don’t have a computer
at home, OR, if your computer malfunctions, OR, if you don’t have some of the
software listed, you may need to come to campus to complete your
assignments. The library and
the labs typically are open 7 days a week. See the SJU homepage for hours of
operation.
If the software versions
used for the lessons in the textbook don’t match the versions you own, contact
your instructor for other instructions. In most instances, you will only
need to make minor adjustments to the lessons in order to complete the
assignment.
Assignments &
Readings(required):
Each week there will be
readings assigned from your textbook and assignments taken from the Lessons at
the end of each chapter in the text.
You are responsible to cover all the readings. I will post “Chapter Notes” weekly
to summarize the readings for that week. The assignments are taken directly
from your textbook, available at the SJU Staten Island campus bookstore, online
at Amazon.com or Barnesand Noble.com, or on reserve at the SJU Staten Island
campus library. Assignments
are due by Sunday for the week they are given. No late assignments will be
accepted. Spelling and
grammar count so please spellcheck all your work before submitting it. All assignments should be
submitted via e-mail. I will
return graded assignments via e-mail.
Live Classroom
Sessions( 2 per week – not
required):
There will be two weekly
“live” classroom times,
Wednesdays, 9-10:30pm, and
Sundays, 9-10:30pm.
During these hours, I will
be available online to answer your questions live, and assist with assignments
or other course related questions.
I am also available during the week by appointment, typically Monday
through Friday, 8:30-4:30, SJU Staten Island Campus. You are not required to logon
during these two weekly live classroom sessions. These sessions are simply
designated as “exclusive availability” time for assistance. The sessions will begin on Wed.
Jan. 22 through Sunday, May 4, unless otherwise noted on the course
calendar. Please check the schedule
on the calendar before attempting to e-mail me during these sessions to insure
that the time slots are active. No live classroom sessions
during breaks, or on Sunday, Jan. 26.
Discussions on
WebCT (Class Participation – 3
per week - required):
The “Discussions” postings, 3 due per week, you may submit at your discretion. However, you must submit them on three separate days of the week, with at least one day in-between postings. They must be of a significant length and show considerable thought about the topic. Discussion guidelines will be posted on WebCT. If you neglect to post your contributions to the discussions, your participation grade will be affected adversely. Please be mindful about these postings because you will not be reminded. The weekly topic will be posted on Sunday evening and you will have from Monday to Sunday to respond and participate.
Final Project – “Course
Portfolio” using PowerPoint(required):
You are required to create a
final project – a “Course Portfolio” using PowerPoint. Throughout the semester you will
be learning to use 11 different software programs, including legal research on
the Internet. The project you
will create on PowerPoint will be a course portfolio. For this reason, I’m including the
Chapter on Graphical Presentation Software during the first two weeks of the
semester. Each week, you will be
required to create slides in PowerPoint that demonstrate how well you understand
the software program covered that week. You will also create slides that
will portray the documents you created using that software. You are required to create a
minimum of 4 slides per software program, at least two(more, if necessary)
detailing each software program, and at least two demonstrating how you’ve
applied this program to create a document – these can be taken directly from the
weekly assignments for each chapter.
You will also be required to create a title slide, and a minimum of 4
slides about your own information, such as: name, address, career goals,
academic career, etc...
By the end of the semester,
you will have created a PowerPoint slide show with a minimum of 49 slides. In an effort to measure your
progress, you will submit the slides you create weekly, and edit them as
necessary. You will
also be required to create slide transitions, insert clipart, and use other
creative techniques such as background colors or slide styles. Your project grade will be based
on: content, style & creativity, and overall presentation. This is an individual project but you
are encouraged to ask other classmates for hints about PowerPoint during our
weekly online discussions.
Readings:
Textbook & Chapter Notes –
weekly
Assignments: – weekly
Discussions Participation – Minimum of 3 postings per week,
beginning Jan. 22 through May 4
Final Project “Course Portfolio” – Slides for each chapter
covered
weekly beginning Feb.
9
Final Project - due May 5
NOTE:
CHECK THE COURSE CALENDAR ON
WEBCT FOR DATES & DEADLINES!!!
Grades are based on:
Assignments – due weekly (50%),
Participation in Discussions – 3 postings per week (25%),
Final Project in PowerPoint (25%).
By
appointment. My office is
located in the SJU Staten Island campus library, lower level.
I
am typically at the library Monday-Friday, 8:30-4:30, but call first to
confirm.
Primary
Text:
Roper, Brent D. Using Computers in the Law Office,
3rd ed., West Legal Studies, Salinas, CA
2000.
Supplementary
Texts:
Long, Judy A. Legal Research Using the Internet,
West Legal Studies – Thomson Learning, CA 2000.
Professor Lois
Cherepon
718-390-4521
(Voice)
cherepoL@stjohns.edu (E-mail)
Library - Lower Level
(Office)