PUB 120: Public Administration Law

Course Description

This course will focus on the laws that define the powers of government agencies and the remedies a person may seek if injured by the agency's use of those powers. Topics include: agency discretion, client rights, agency rules and regulations, investigations and information gathering, informal proceedings, administrative agency hearings, judicial review, and paralegalism in administrative law. Students will use administrative agency websites to understand agency rules, documents, and forms. They will also study the Federal Register to learn about the rule making process and court case decisions regarding agency action. (3 credits)

Prerequisite

  • None

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Perform internet research on different administrative agencies and in clear and concise writing summarize findings.
  2. List the steps necessary for Congress to create an agency in clear and concise writing by explaining the powers of the enabling statue and the delegation doctrine.
  3. Explain the purpose an administrative agency for a person not familiar with the subject using clear, concise writing by explaining the four types of administrative agencies including agency examples.
  4. List the steps in an agency's process for responding to complaints emphasizing the role of agency discretion.
  5. Analyze a hypothetical dealing with an agencies investigative and information gathering powers to determine whether or not the agency has met the three requirements for gathering information.
  6. Differentiate between informal and formal rulemaking as well as a proposed rule and a final rule by providing correct definitions of these four key concepts.
  7. List the four judicial review procedures for an administrative agency decision and the steps required to achieve judicial review.
  8. Outline in clear and concise writing the various roles a paralegal can play in an administrative hearing.
  9. Provide definitions when given a list of the key terms in administrative law with 80% accuracy.
  10. Identify and correct and false statements about administrative law based on the information provided in the text and lectures with 80% accuracy.

Course Activities and Grading

AssignmentsWeight

Discussions (Weeks 1-8)

30%

Graded Study Guides (Weeks 1-7)

20%

Midterm Exam (Week 4)

20%

Final Exam (Week 8)

30%

Total

100%

Required Textbooks

Available through Charter Oak State College's online bookstore

  • Adams, Anne and Robert Mongue. (2022). Basic Administrative Law for Paralegals. 6th ed. Aspen Law Publishers. ISBN-10: 1-5438-2696-2 or ISBN-13: 978-1-5438-2696-8

Course Schedule

Week

SLOs

Readings and Exercises

Assignments

1

1,9,10

Topic: Administrative Law and Administrative Agencies

  • Chapter 1
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guide for Chapter 1

2

2,9,10

Topic: Development of Administrative Law

  • Chapter 2
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guide for Chapter 2

3

3,9,10

Topics: Agency Discretion & Client Rights

  • Chapter 3
  • Chapter 4
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guides for Chapters 3 and 4

4

4,9,10

Topics: Agency Rules and Regulations

  • Chapter 5
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the lecture material
  • Participate in the discussions
  • Complete Study Guide for Chapter 5
  • Review Study Guides for Chapters 1-5 in preparation for Midterm Exam
  • Complete the Midterm Exam

Midterm Exam
Chapters 1-5
SLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 & 10

5

5,9,10

Topics: Investigations and Information Gathering

  • Chapter 6
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guide for Chapter 6

6

6,9,10

Topics: Informal Proceedings and Administrative Hearings

  • Chapter 7
  • Chapter 8
  • Read assigned chapters
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guides for Chapters 7 and 8

7

7,9,10

Topic: Judicial Review

  • Chapter 9
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Complete Study Guide for Chapter 9
  • Review Study Guides for Chapters 1-9 in preparation for Final Exam

8

1-10

Topic: Paralegalism in Administrative Law

  • Chapter 11
  • Read assigned chapter
  • Review the Lecture material
  • Participate in the Discussions
  • Review Study Guides for Chapters 1-9 in preparation for Final Exam
  • Complete the Final Exam

Final Exam
Chapters 1-9, 11
SLOs 1-10

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.