PLG 499: Paralegal Capstone

Course Description

Students in the Paralegal Studies concentration are required to complete a capstone experience in which they demonstrate fulfillment of the various outcomes of their concentration. A successful project will demonstrate that the student clearly understands his or her concentration, has mastered the content of the paralegal studies coursework, and can synthesize and apply what he or she has learned.

The student must develop a capstone project proposal, to be approved by the instructor, which will demonstrate understanding of the outcomes. The proposed project may be a case study, research paper, portfolio of work with written explanation, etc. Once the instructor approves the proposal, a minimum of three drafts of the capstone project must be submitted before the final project is submitted.

Prerequisites

This is the capstone course for the Paralegal Capstone concentration and should be taken in the student's last semester. Students must have completed thirty credits of their concentration courses prior to taking the course.
ENG 101: English Composition 1
ENG 102: English Composition 2

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

Develop a Capstone project that encompasses all of the Student Learning Outcomes for the Paralegal Studies concentration as listed in the official catalog.
Write and critique at a senior level of college writing.
Demonstrate mastery of the Paralegal Studies content.

Course Activities and Grading

Assignments	Weight
Capstone Project Work	80%
Peer Reviews	20%
Total	100%

80% of the grade is based on project work. Each student's project will be evaluated according to how well it does the following:

Does the project:

express with clarity and precision the ideas of the project?
demonstrate substantial knowledge of the content of the concentration?
evaluate critically the validity of the project within the concentration?
reflect proficiency in the terminology and language appropriate to the concentration?
exemplify effectively the methodology of the concentration?
reveal the personal thoughts and opinions of the student?
demonstrate writing proficiencies of the senior level of college writing?

20% of the grade is based on the students’ contribution to his/her peers’ work. The reviews of students' work will be evaluated according to how well the review does the following:

Does the review of student work:

demonstrate a close reading of the students’ work?
add value to the students’ work?
suggest alternative ideas to the students’ work?
support the students’ work?

See the Blackboard course to understand how letter grades will be assigned to coursework.

Required Text

There are no required textbooks for this course.

Course Schedule

Week	SLOs	Assignment(s)
1	1-3	Review Paralegal Studies Concentration Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) Begin draft of project proposal Contribute to the 3 discussion board topics: Introduce Yourself to the Class How will this course help to synthesize your learning in the Paralegal Studies program Share your proposal ideas
2	1-3	Submit Capstone Project Proposal to instructor Post your Capstone Proposal on the Discussion Board Provide feedback to your peers on their proposals on the Discussion Board Continue project work Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
3	1-3	Continue project work Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
4	1-3	Submit Project Draft 1 to instructor Continue project work Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
5	1-3	Post Progress Report on the Discussion Board: How is your project progressing? Are their concerns your peers could help you address? Are their successes you would like to share? Continue project work Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
6	1-3	Submit Project Draft 2 to instructor Post Project Draft 2 to Discussion Board for peer review Review other students’ second drafts and provide feedback on the discussion board Continue project work Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
7	1-3	Submit Project Draft 3 to instructor Engage in discussion with instructor about project (as needed)
8	1-3	Submit final project to instructor for grading Post a review of your Capstone experience on the discussion board: What did you learn? What were your difficulties and successes? Complete Course Evaluation Form

COSC Accessibility Statement

Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.

COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources

Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.