Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2026

Legal Ethics and Professionalism (Online)

LEGL 1200-30I

Course: LEGL 1200-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2026
Department: Political Sci Criminal Justice
CRN: 32556

Course Description

This course instructs as to ethics rules for legal professionals, as well as professionalism generally.

Required Texts

LEGAL ETHICS, Fourth edition, By Kauffman, ISBN 978-0-357-62054-0

The textbook is available to you through the “Inclusive Access Program.” You will have access to the book on the first day of class or when the canvas page is open. You will be able to access the book by going into canvas and on the left hand side bar there should be a tab called "INCLUSIVE ACCESS COURSE MATERIALS.” If you decide that you prefer a physical book, you are able to opt out right there in their canvas page and a refund will go back onto your student account.

The textbook is also available from the publisher, Cengage, for an online license, or to purchase as hardcopy.

This course moves too quickly for delay in textbook available, you need the book from the start.

CALL SIGN CHAOS, Jim Mattis, ISBN 9780812996838

Movies (extra credit)

  • My Cousin Vinny (1992)
  • Liar Liar (1997)
  • The Rainmaker (1997)
  • A Few Good Men (1992)

Other linked articles and resources as assigned

Learning Outcomes

This course helps students become better professionals by (1) empowering students to make ethical determinations in true-to-life settings, and (2) building student professionalism through portfolio compilation, tactful self-promotion through networking and online, and gathering job market information. The expected student learning outcomes therefore are:

  • Command of Content - students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of this course's content through the written word.
  • Ethical Reasoning and Leadership skills - Students describe and analyze positions on ethical issues, apply reasoning about right and wrong human conduct, demonstrate ethical decision-making skills, and demonstrate an evolving ethical self-identity. Students will display competence in leadership philosophy. Understand the Model Rules of Professional Conduct
  • Critical Thinking - Students demonstrate disciplined processes of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action.
  • Information Literacy - Students identify, locate, evaluate, attribute and share information effectively and ethically.

Course Requirements

GRADING RUBRIC:

Participation – 20%

  • Introduction (discussion tab)
  • One on one initial meeting with the instructor (zoom)
  • Initial survey response (discussion availability)
  • Chapter discussion posts and responses (lecture/discussion tab)
  • Attend class discussions/lectures online – 4 total sessions
  • Associated participation quiz

Regular Assignments – 55%

  • Textbook Chapter Assignments
  • Legal Professional Interview and Paper
  • Case Brief
  • Group assignment, PowerPoint summary of “Call Sign Chaos”
  • Final Paper

Exams – 25% (all exams are open book)

  • Quizzes (ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct)
  • Quizzes (Textbook)
  • Quizzes (Professionalism and leadership)

Bonus opportunities as provided (An addition 10% available)

  • Watching selected movies and providing written responses to prompts.

Each project and assignment will be weighted equally within its respective category.

Students are required to stay current on Canvas, where readings and assignments will be announced.

Course Outline

COURSE AGENDA

(SUBJECT TO CHANGE-AS ANNOUNCED ON CANVAS)

Introduction Section, September 2-6
  • Review syllabus
  • Post Introduction
  • Sign up for One on one
  • Survey response – discussion availability
Section/Chapter 1, September 7-20
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Case brief
  • Class lecture/Discussion #1
Section/Chapter 2, September 21- October 4
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Quiz 1- Leadership
  • Legal professional interview and paper
Section/Chapter 3, October 5-11
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Class lecture/Discussion #2
Section/Chapter 4, October 12-25
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Quiz 2-Leadership
Section/Chapter 5, October 26- November 1
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
Section/Chapter 6, November 2-15
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Group Assignment
  • Class lecture/Discussion #3
Section/Chapter 7, November 16-29
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Any extra credit due – movie prompts
Section/Chapter 8, November 30- December 14
  • Textbook chapter assignment
  • Discussion posts and responses
  • Quiz ABA
  • Quiz textbook
  • Final paper
  • Class lecture/Discussion #4

Term Ends: Thursday, December 17

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

All deliverables must be received online on or before the matter’s due date. Late submissions will not be accepted. In the event of an emergency or exceptional circumstance, an allowance may be made at the instructor’s discretion if requested by the student to the instructor as soon as possible after the emergency- timely communication is key.

Attendance Policy

This course is offered online through Canvas. Students are expected to spend the same amount of time in their Canvas classroom, with their studies, assignments, etc. as is expected of students in an in-person classroom environment. Each week students will be assigned readings, studies, homework/discussions, project work, etc. and they are to complete such matters in a timely fashion.

Course Fees

Content for this section will be provided by the instructor.

Computer System Requirements and Technical Skills

SUU Online lists computer systems requirements for students who are taking Canvas classes. You should check your home computer to be sure you have the proper systems. Of course, you may use computers on campus, including those in the library. Public libraries also have computers but may not have needed systems and may have limited availability. It is up to each student to be sure he or she has adequate computer availability for this course. Computer related questions should be posed to the SUU Help Desk. Do not wait to report problems.

Note: Students must have technical skills to be successful in an online class using Canvas such as the ability to use email with attachments, copying and pasting, using Word and PDF. Please let the instructor know immediately if you are deficient in such technical skills.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Religious / Conscience Belief Accommodation

RELIGIOUS / CONSCIENCE BELIEF ACCOMMODATION: In accordance with SUU Policy 6.7 Student Belief Accommodation, students may request, in writing, that their faculty accommodate their sincerely held religious or conscience beliefs. Students should provide their faculty with sufficient advanced notice, if possible within the first five (5) business days of the semester or session, or thereafter with good cause for requesting an accommodation after the first five (5) business days.

Faculty must provide a schedule accommodation or excuse an absence, in any course, for students to observe or participate in religious holidays or an organized activity conducted under the auspices of the student’s religious tradition or religious organization.

In courses that are required for graduation or for an academic major, a faculty member may accommodate a religious or conscience belief by modifying an assignment or examination if its content conflicts with the student’s belief. Faculty may decline the accommodation if it would fundamentally alter the course requirements. If declined, the student may request review by a neutral arbiter using the Belief Accommodation Request Form: https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv&layout_id=5

Questions go to Assistant Provost Jake Johnson at johnsonj@suu.edu.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.