Syllabus Michael Onufrak PLS 215 7 week

Syllabus for Electronic Discovery--7 Week Session On Line Course

1.  You will receive access through Canvas to an Introductory Module and Seven additional Modules.   Each Module contains several video lectures interspersed throughout the Module to help you learn the written materials contained in the modules and the links to on line videos, cases and the like.   You should review the Introductory Module first and then complete the next six Modules in order on a weekly basis.   The dates during which the Modules should be completed are set forth in each Module.

2.  There is no text book.  Everything is available through Canvas or links on the Internet.

3.   Each Module has gradable discussions, quizzes and/or assignments that you must complete.   There is also a final exam to be completed in Session 7.

4. Your final grade is based on gradable discussion (10%), quizzes (20%), assignments (35 %) and the final exam (35%).

5.  You must complete one module each  week during the time specified and then complete the next module the following week.   No going back to do the work although you can (and must) go back to review the materials to keep learning.  So don't wait until the end of the week to start.  Begin your work on the new module early in the week and keep doing a little each day. I will try to respond to questions on the discussion board but I can't monitor it all the time.   You may have to watch the short video lectures more than once to understand a topic and you definitely will have to go through the materials slowly to understand everything completely.  Each week ends at 6 pm on Sunday and the new week begins at the same time.

6.  Electronic discovery is a new and growing area of the law and paralegals are uniquely suited to thrive in this new and important area.  So by taking this course and absorbing these materials you are setting yourself up for success in a new career or improving  your current career.

7. During the seven week session you will receive an in depth treatment of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the electronic discovery lifecycle, including the preservation, collection, review, production and analysis of ESI in complex civil itigation and governmental investigations.   We will examine aspects of electronic discovery case law and the applicable federal rules.  Upon the successful conclusion of the course, students will be able to:

      A.  Identify the lifecycle of the Electronic Discovery Reference Model(EDRM):

      B.  Identify the relevant federal rules and most important judicial precedents pertaining to ESI.

     C.  Understand the concepts of litigation hold, document preservation, proportionality, privilege, relevance, protective orders and the like.

     D. Understand the rudiments of technical software used by paralegals to implement the EDRM.

     E.  Be aware of the consequences of spoliation and sanctions; learn how to avoid same and the ethical rules that apply.

    F.  Appreciate the new trends in this new and exciting area of the law such as TAR, predictive coding, and the effect AI will have on the process of electronic discovery going forward.

8.  All students are subject to the Community College of Philadelphia Student Code of Conduct, which requires students to, among other things, maintain academic integrity with respect to this on line class.  Student must sign an integrity statement at the beginning of the seven week session.

9.  If you require assistance with any condition or disability, you should consult the College catalog for direction.   The Center for Disability is located at M1-22 and the phone number is (215)-751-8050.

10.  All assignments and discussions will be graded and returned within one week after submission.