FAMILY LAW
COURSE NO. LW7331 Section E
SPRING 2021 SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: Heather Clement Tessmer
EMAIL: htessmer@stmarytx.edu
PHONE: 210-621-7526
PROGRAM GOALS:
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To learn the principles, policies, rules, and vocabulary of family law, with particular reference to Texas rules.
To apply the principles, policies, rules, and vocabulary to new problems and situations, using legal analysis and
theory.
To introduce and apply skills related to family law including ethics and client counseling.
To be familiar with the questions that might be asked on the bar exam.
COURSE STRUCTURE: Give yourself sufficient time to become thoroughly familiar with your textbooks and resources. Check
to make sure you are using the correct edition of the required text. All page references are to the text, Weisberg and
Appleton, Modern Family Law, 7th ed., Wolters Kluwer Publishers. We may also refer to the Texas Family Code and The Texas
Family Law Handbook.
Course Technologies: The course is conducted through Canvas. Canvas supports four primary browsers: Internet Explorer,
Safari, Firefox, and Chrome. While those four browsers may work fine on a PC or Mac, Firefox has proven to be more
compatible with the Canvas system and is recommended for use by St. Mary's University.
Other technologies include:
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Adobe Connect
Kaltura MediaSpace
Qualtrics
YouTube
OneNote
The Technical Support link on the course menu is there if you need help. You can also contact ATS directly. Accessibility
statements are found on the course menu located on the left in Technical Support.
ATTENDANCE:
Each week there will be 2 video/audio lectures. You need a webcam and must appear in "person" (not with just a name and
photo) to receive credit for attendance. This class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.
Each week there will be online lectures with associated notes. Attendance will be conducted through online quizzes which will
be available after each online audio lecture. You must answer at least 75% of the questions to get credit for attendance. The
quizzes will only be available for the duration of the assigned materials.
Discussion questions, videos, or other materials will be posted during the course. You must participate in the discussion in a
thoughtful way, with original comments, in order to receive credit for the discussion session. I will notify you if your discussion
comments are not satisfactory.
Students who notify my in advance of any issues meeting the quiz or discussion deadlines may be granted some flexibility.
However, I must be notified in a timely fashion. Missing the deadlines and then contacting me is unacceptable.
GRADES:
Class grades will be based on the final exam, quizzes, discussion board postings, case briefs, The final is open-book and opennote but you will not be able to access the internet.
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20% Discussion Board Postings; Quizzes, Case Briefs, Participation
80% Final Exam
Case Briefs – Throughout the semester you will have four case brief assignments. I will post a rubric for grading prior to the
first case brief assignment. Make sure to access these through the Assignments link.
Final – Your final will be a combination of multiple choice and essay questions. It will be cumulative, covering all modules. The
final is open notes/open book therefore it is important that you take concise but thorough notes. Internet browsers will be
locked during the administration of the final. The final will account for 80% of your final grade. Make sure to access this
through the Assignments link.
Missed assignments (briefs) will be reduced by 10% for each day they are late. Discussion Board postings and Quizzes are
not eligible for an extension. Missed exams require the prior approval of the Professor.
University Policies and Procedures:
St. Mary's University is committed to providing a safe, equitable, and fair environment where students can pursue academic
excellence. Policies and procedures have been developed to foster and sustain such an environment. Students need to be
aware of these policies and procedures, which can be found in GatewayLinks to an external site.[1] or in the law school student
handbookLinks to an external site.,[2] or on the University PoliciesLinks to an external site.[3] webpage and include but are not
limited to:
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Nondiscrimination
Sexual and Other Forms of Harassment
Students with Disability
Human Subjects Research
Course Incompletes
Course Attendance
Academic Honesty
NETIQUETTE GUIDELINES: All students pay tuition and deserve a positive and courteous learning environment. Students
should be aware that their behavior impacts other people, even online. I hope that we will all strive to develop a positive and
supportive environment and will be courteous to fellow students and your instructor. Due to the nature of the online
environment, there are some things to remember.
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Always think before you write. In other words without the use of non-verbal communication such as facial
expression, posture etc. with your message, your message can be misinterpreted. So please think twice before
you hit submit. Also, be aware that sarcasm rarely comes across well online.
Keep it relevant. There are places to chat and post for fun everyday stuff. Do not stray from the discussion in the
assigned questions. Back up your assertions with facts and the rule of law, not anecdote and opinion.
Never use all caps. This is the equivalent of yelling in the online world. It is not fun to read. Only use capital
letters when appropriate.
Make sure that you are using appropriate grammar and structure. In other words I don’t want to see anyone
writing “R U” instead of “are you”. There are people in the class that may not understand this type of
abbreviation, not to mention it does nothing to help expand your writing and vocabulary skills. Emoticons are
fine as long as they are appropriate. A smile ☺is welcome, anything offensive is not.
Treat people the same as you would face-to-face. In other words it is easy to hide behind the computer. In some
cases it empowers people to treat others in ways they would not in person. Remember there is a person behind
the name on your screen. Treat all with dignity and respect and you can expect that in return.
Be respectful. This is a professional setting and you will be expected to treat it as such. The use of profanity or
other insulting language will not be tolerated.
OFFICE HOURS: I encourage all of you to avail yourselves of my office hours whenever you have questions about the
materials or other classroom concerns. Online Office Hours will be by appointment. Responses to questions or inquiries
submitted by email will be returned within 24 hours whenever possible. Questions posed by email that would benefit the class
community will be posted in the Announcement section and answered so that all may benefit.
Please note that an anonymous online course evaluation will be distributed via email link after the midterm and will close
before the final exam is released. Your feedback on this survey helps improve the quality of course content and mode of
delivery for LW7331.