ASc in Paralegal Studies

This course is designed to develop in students the capability to use Standard English structures to express themselves clearly, precisely and fluently in writing and speech. The focus is placed on producing different types of business documents from memoranda to reports and the development of presentation skills to maximize effective communication in the contemporary business environment.

This is a cross-disciplinary course. It is designed to provide a firm base for Communication courses and for courses in English for Special Purposes linked with specific disciplines. It helps students to achieve the level of competence in written language that is required of the university student in undergraduate programmes. Course content includes Language in the Caribbean, Summarizing, the Formal Essay and Methods of Organising Information.

This course is designed to develop an awareness of the main process of cultural development in Caribbean societies, highlighting the factors, the problematic and the creative output that have fed the emergence of Caribbean identities. It also develops a perception of the Caribbean as wider than island nations or linguistic blocs and stimulates students’ interest in, and commitment to Caribbean civilization and to further their self-determination.

A General Education course, Mathematics provides students with the opportunity to refresh and renew their knowledge about mathematics that will assist them in grasping tertiary level theories, problems and formulae. This course exposes students to the basic mathematical concepts, their application and the ability to express these concepts by clear expression and logical reasoning.

Pre-requisites- Students must have general mathematical computation skills and a basic knowledge of algebra

This course deals with the basics, major concepts and principles of computers and computing. Topics covered will include: evolution and classification of computers, computer hardware, software and data communications; computer data processing; and microcomputers in business.

This course aims to develop the basic communicative skills of students. Students will be equipped with both receptive skills (listening and reading) and productive skills (speaking and writing).

This is an introductory course designed to cover both a practical and theoretical understanding of the principles and concepts involved in the preparation of financial statements. You are exposed to a conceptual analytical approach, with the aim of improving your critical thinking and communication skills, especially in the area of accounting.

This is an introductory study of the field of macroeconomics. It will introduce students to the content, methods and techniques of macroeconomics; acquaint them with the distinctive features of a small open economy and expose them to contemporary issues in macroeconomic analysis and policy.

This course will introduce students to classical social theory through an understanding of the work of writers such as Auguste Comte, Max Weber, Karl Marx and George H. Mead. The main focus of this studying is to understand the central ideas of these writers and to reflect on the usefulness of their theory in contemporary Caribbean societies. This reflection will support students’ further investigations of the explanations given for issues on the front line of Caribbean societies’ development agendas. At the same time, students will learn about the central ideas and perspectives of writers such as Edward Kamau Brathwaite, M.G. Smith and George Beckford. The combination of classical and Caribbean schools of social inquiry will set the tone for a synthesizing of perspectives on race, class, gender, ethnicity and the family in society. This process will assist students with developing their theoretical base in social theory, as well as independent thought on happenings in Caribbean society.

2 Assignments - 25%

Final Exam -75% (face-to-face)

Required Text: Antoine, Rose Marie (2006) Commonwealth Caribbean Law and Legal Systems London: Routledge Cavendish.

The course aims to introduce students to the general management of a law firm/office. They will be introduced to basic structure of a firm, inherent systems, basic accounting, ethics and professional responsibilities as well as the role the paralegal plays in legal system.

This course provides an introduction to the fundamentals of legal research and writing. Students are exposed to the use of reference books and materials and instructed in the location and basic analysis of cases and legislation. Emphasis will also be on the development of basic skills in legal writing and reasoning. Students practice analyzing legal authority in case law and statutes and learn how to develop a legal argument.

The course seeks to provide an overview of the process of civil litigation in the High Courts, in the context of the new Civil Procedure Rules in force in the OECS territories. In addition to focusing on the procedural rules, attention will be given to developing practical skills such as preparing and drafting basic documents used in civil actions, such as statements of case and affidavits.

Assessment:

2 Assignments - 25%

Final Exam -75% (face-to-face)

This course introduces students to the procedural and practical aspects of the Criminal Law. Students will be taught how to draft and prepare forms and pleadings used in the Criminal Procedures process.

This course seeks to introduce students to the general principles of the criminal law. Students will also be introduced to specific crimes recognized by the criminal law including murder, manslaughter, assault and battery, rape and theft.

Assessments:

2 Assignments - 25%

Final Exam -75% (face-to-face)

Required Text:  

Stone, Richard  (2009).  Modern Law of Contract (8/E) London : Routledge-  Cavendish, Michael Philip Furmston, G. Geoffrey Chevalier Cheshire,                            

C. H. Cecil Herbert Stuart Fifoot. Cheshire, Fifoot And Furmston's Law of Contract

This course introduces students to the law of civil wrongs, and to the methods by which the law fixes liability upon those whose wrongful conduct causes loss or harm to others. Tort law, and in particular the law of negligence, is an area of primary importance to legal practitioners, as it encompasses, inter alia, liability for personal injuries. It is also an area of law of interest to many types of businesses, notably industrial and insurance companies and publishing houses.

The primary aim of this course is to introduce students to general principles of law relating to the nature, acquisition and transfer of interests in land, and to the practical aspects of property transactions, such as title searches, contracts for the sale of land, conveyancing procedures and registration of title.

This course aims to equip students with a general knowledge of the principles of law governing Caribbean Constitutions and Administrative Law fundamentals. The course therefore seeks to locate the subject within the West Indian polity, taking into account the social, historical and political evolution of Caribbean societies.

Assessments:

2 Assignments - 25%

Final Exam -75% (face-to-face)

Required Text:  Kelly, David; Holmes Ann & Hayward, Ruth: Business Law 5th Edition (2007)    

Abbott, Keith; Pendlebury, Norman; Wardman, Kevin: Business Law 8th Edition (2007)

Burgess, Andrew; Commonwealth Caribbean Company Law (2013)      

The aim of this course is to give students a basic understanding of the trust concept and of the principles of administration of trusts as developed in statute and case law. Trust law and practice is an extremely important area of the law, particularly in those jurisdictions which have developed a vibrant offshore financial services sector.