Course Description
Paralegal 1 will teach you the core information that all paralegals must know: Ethics, Legal Research, and Civil Litigation, with an emphasis on Texas law. Students will complete a variety of online exercises, threaded discussions, online lectures, live chats, readings and field trips to develop both the theory of the law, and the requisite practical applications to enter or advance in jobs supporting Texas lawyers.

Required Textbooks
Sessions 1-7: Legal Research

• Legal Research & Writing for Paralegals, 6th ed., by Deborah Bouchoux. ISBN: 978-0-7355-6801-3. Aspen Law & Business. 1-800-529-7545. Approx. $98.
  
  
• Texas Rules of Form, 12th ed. (2010) by Texas Law Review. ISBN 1-878674-08-0. UT Law Publications (512) 232-1149 or http://www.utexas.edu/law/publications. Approx. $15.
  

Sessions 7-13: Civil Litigation

• Civil Litigation, 6th ed., by Peggy Kerley. ISBN 9781428318397. Thomson Learning 1-800-328-9352. Approx. $135.00. Free Texas Supplement available on www.westlegalstudies.com (go to “Student Center;” then View Online Student Resources; Civil Litigation, 5E; State Supplements; and then Texas).
  
  

Recommended Textbooks
A pocket size legal dictionary is not a required purchase, but it may be helpful to you. They are inexpensive and easy to find, e.g.:

• Dictionary of Legal Terms by Steven Gifis. ISBN 0764102869 Amazon.com
  
  
• Black's Law Dictionary by Bryan A. Garner. Second Edition. ISBN 0314257918. Amazon.com

Where to Obtain the Texts
The required textbooks are available from the L&M Bookstore at www.lmutsabooks.com and the UTSA Bookstore at www.utsa.bkstore.com. Ordering directly from the publisher's websites may be an option, as well. If you have trouble locating the Texas Rules of Form, consider ordering it directly from the UT Law School, using the information given above. Any legal bookstore would also stock it, as well as the Texas Rules of Court, since these are traditional law school texts. Other sites such as www.borders.com, www.barnesandnoble.com and www.ecampus.com may also stock what you need.

When You Will Need the Texts
There are no textbooks required for Session 1; however, we do suggest you obtain your books promptly, and on most web sites, you can request delivery by next day air. You will need your Bouchoux text before entering Session 2, and the Texas Rules of Form before entering Session 5. The remaining books are for the second half of the course. Because we have selected some of the finest texts in the paralegal industry for your program, be assured you are investing your education dollars wisely. You will continue using several of your texts in your Paralegal II course, and many students save them as references for taking into the law office as well.