Course Syllabus
LSO 6531 - Legal Research for the Energy Industry
Faculty Contact Information
Course Details
For a list of course activities, scroll to the bottom of this page.
Course Prerequisites
Admission to MLS Program or LLM Program
Course Materials
- Kent C. Olson, Legal Research in a Nutshell, 14th Edition (2021). This text is available at no cost on the West Academic Study Aids site under the Nutshell Series.
- Westlaw and Lexis
- You will be provided access to the Westlaw and Lexis legal research databases at no cost. There is no reason to purchase an account or create a trial account for this class. Instructions for registration will be posted on Canvas and sent via email to your OU Email address.
- While we will work to the best of our ability to make sure you have access to these databases during Module 1, it is your responsibility to notify the Instructor or the Course Facilitator if you are having issues registering or having problems accessing the databases.
- If you are unable to complete an assignment due to not having access to the databases, you must notify your instructor or the Course Facilitator at a reasonable time before the assignment is due or otherwise your grade may suffer from late penalties or missed points.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Participation | Watching videos and completing class discussions. | 5% |
| Class Review Questions | Up to 10 multiple choice and/or true false auto-graded questions | 20% |
| Assignments | A series of questions which require you to use one of the resources covered to locate a document. | 50% |
| Final Exam | Extended written assignment | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
This course will be graded on a 12-point scale.
| Points | Letter Grade | Percentage of Points |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | A+ | 100%-97.0% |
| 11 | A | 96.99%-93.0% |
| 10 | A- | 92.99%-90% |
| 9 | B+ | 89.99%-87.0% |
| 8 | B | 86.99%-83.0% |
| 7 | B- | 82.99%-80.0% |
| 6 | C+ | 79.99%-77.0% |
| 5 | C | 76.99%-73.0% |
| 4 | C- | 72.99%-70.0% |
| 3 | D+ | 69.99%-67.0% |
| 2 | D | 66.99%-63.0% |
| 1 | D- | 62.99%-60.0% |
| 0 | F | Below 60.0% |
Note: Grades will be calculated with no more than 2 decimal points and will not be rounded up or down.
Course Components
Participation
Participation will be measured in 2 ways:
- First, you will need to watch the videos each week.
- Second, you will contribute to class discussion question(s).
- The number and depth of that participation is not measured, but some contribution beyond simple "Yes," "No" or "I Agree" responses is required.
- Discussion responses will be due on Wednesdays by 11:59 p.m. Central of the class week.
- Your participation in the discussion questions is worth up to two points. Points will be awarded on the basis of quality and / or quantity.
Class Review Questions
These questions will test your comprehension of materials and will consist of at least 5 questions. They will be due on Tuesday by 11:59 p.m. Central of the class week. You will learn the material through course reading, presentations, and resource demonstrations.
Note: These questions will be open-notes, untimed, but only allow 1 attempt.
Assignments
These five assignments will test your research skills. They will pose a series of questions which require you to use one of the resources covered to locate a document. You will be guided through the resources. The instructor will be available online to provide assistance completing the assignment during open office hours. These assignments will be due on Saturday by 11:59 p.m. Central at the end of the class week.
Final Exam
The final exam for this course will be distributed during the final week of class. It will take the form of an extended written assignment. Questions will be less-directed.
You will need to apply your understanding of resources and research methods to locate relevant documents. You will work on your own and can obtain only minimal help from your instructor. This final exam will be due one week after the last class day.
Course Policies
Communication
Email is the best way to contact me. Please put the course number and/or name in the subject line of your email. You can address me as Professor Linz.
I will respond to emails within 24 hours usually. However, keep in mind that a longer response time could be warranted on holidays and weekends.
Feedback
Feedback will be given within 1 week of the assignment due date and will be posted to the Grades section. You are always encouraged to reach out to me directly if you would like to discuss a grade or need assistance with the course.
Late Assignment Policy
Late assignments may be submitted for grading for up to two weeks following the original due date. Late assignments will be docked as follows:
| Late Assignment Grade Reduction | |
|---|---|
Late 1 - 3 days |
10% |
| Late 4 - 6 days | 20% |
| Late 6 - 13 days | 30% |
The tolling of the first day begins within 1 minute after the assignment is due.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
|---|---|---|