When Paralegal instructor John J. Murray began teaching at Alvin Community College, he noticed that some of the textbook material in the introductory courses should be presented in more advanced courses.
To solve the problem, Murray decided to write his own textbook, which he felt would be more appropriate for students beginning a Paralegal program.
“I also wanted to create a book that gave students real stories they could relate to and introduce them to the law in a way that was relevant for future paralegals in practice,” he said. “Professors spend a lot of time trying to find the balance between content and lecture engagement. I wanted my textbook to resonate with students the same way an in-person lecture does.”
The book, Introduction to Law: A Real, Relevant, and Relatable Approach for Paralegal, was recently released by Aspen Publishing.
“Drawing on his incredible ability to connect with students in the classroom, John has created a wonderful new book that will inspire paralegal students worldwide,” said Denise Clinton, managing editor of Aspen’s Paralegal division.
The textbook’s content focuses on introducing the profession of being a paralegal while offering a personable touch to make the content relatable, Murray said.
“I use humor, I tell stories, I hold conversations with the reader, and I intentionally included material in the text that no other Introduction to Law textbook does because I have taught these topics in my classes and have seen the positive impact it had on their development,” he said.
Murray said his book is uniquely tailored for the Paralegal program at ACC as well as other college’s programs in that it provides real-world examples along with the course content to make it relatable for students.
“Time and time again we read about another study that finds we learn better when we have an emotional connection to the material and not just an intellectual one,” he said. “This textbook uses storytelling to connect students to real scenarios, relevant ethical dilemmas they will face in practice, and relatable excerpts that illustrate the point being made in each section.”
Introduction to Law was peer-reviewed before it was published to ensure that the content meets Paralegal training and education standards, and many instructors with other programs have already noted they plan to use it, Murray said.
“This textbook sets the stage for the success, excitement, and having students believe in themselves throughout the entire program,” he said.
To learn more about the book, visit www.aspenpublishing.com.
