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COURT REPORTING PROGRAM
Course Descriptions

C100 - COMMUNICATIONS (3 CREDITS)
This is a college-level developmental writing and communications course that includes analysis of common writing criteria such as sentence structure, paragraph development, essays, and reports. Prerequisites: None.

SH100 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND THEORY I (6 CREDITS)
This is an introduction to conflict-free basic theory of the shorthand machine. Through a study of phonics, the student is led to hear speech as sounds and to transmit the sounds through the fingers to the keyboard. Students learn to read from plated notes at a rapid rate of speed. Students will develop listening and concentration skills, which will aid in machine shorthand writing. Though there is no speed requirement for SH100, students will be introduced to gradual speedbuilding with a high degree of accuracy. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill and knowledge. Prerequisite: None.

T110 - KEYBOARDING I - INTRODUCTION TO WORD PROCESSING (3 CREDITS)
Students will be placed in computer projects and books in accordance with previous training and experience. Students should be able to key using the touch system on the QWERTY keyboard. Using word processing software, students will learn the correct techniques of keyboarding and the use of word processing functions: making tabulations, setting up tables and charts, editing, and the basics of desktop publishing formatting. Prerequisites: None

C110 - FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE AND WRITING (3 CREDITS)
This is a college-level English course with emphasis on rhetoric, composition, expository writing, and speech. Students will study and develop proofreading and composition skills. Prerequisites: None.

LT200 - FOUNDATIONS OF LAW (3 CREDITS)
This course is an overview of law covering all major areas of American law and the American legal system including lectures, case studies, commentaries, and class discussions. Topics include ethics, legislation; state, federal, and appellate courts; civil, criminal, torts, contacts, property, family law, administrative law, and legal procedures. Prerequisites: None.

SH120 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND THEORY II (6 CREDITS)
This is a continuation of SH100, Computerized Machine Shorthand Theory I. Students will continue to master learning conflict-free basic theory of the shorthand machine. Through a study of phonics, the student is led to hear speech as sounds and to transmit the sounds through the fingers to the keyboard. Students read from plated notes at a rapid rate of speed. Students will develop listening and concentration skills, which will aid in machine shorthand writing. Students will be introduced to gradual speedbuilding with a high degree of accuracy. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill and knowledge. Prerequisite: SH100.

C210 - HUMAN RELATIONS (3 CREDITS)
Students in this course develop a real-world perspective to human relations. While learning basic sociological principles, students examine and analyze contemporary issues of human relations and build competencies needed for career and personal success in improving self-confidence, developing relationships, and maintaining a positive attitude. Critical thinking is emphasized through teamwork, role-playing, and applying writing skills. Prerequisites: None

MT100 - MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY/RELATED ANATOMY (3 CREDITS)
This is a medical vocabulary building course. The most common medical terms will be defined to include prefixes, root words, and suffixes. Students will be responsible for spelling, defining, and pronouncing these terms. The course will include basic instruction in the musculoskeletal system and in the body systems and functions. Students will receive instruction related to psychological and physical diseases and drugs and in the use of the Physician's Desk Reference. They will receive instruction in the methods of researching medical information such as names and descriptions of diseases and drugs. Prerequisites: None.

SH130 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND III (6 CREDITS)
Students develop their machine shorthand skill and speed development in literary, medical, jury charge and legal opinion, and court reporting testimony. Students will be in a variety of speedbuilding classes a minimum of 8 hours a week. They will receive weekly transcription assignments.  Grades for this course will be on shorthand skill, weekly transcription, and punctuation grades on dictation tests. SH120.

C160 - Culture & Society (3 CREDITS)
As portrayed in the title of this course, the focus is on culture and society as a constant awareness process. Students will gain a theoretical framework of culture and society by using a variety of research techniques. This course is designed to aid the students in the development of the challenges in critical thinking and the knowledge of various aspects of society. Topics may vary according to current trends and present-day news, but they will include issues involving sports, entertainment, meteorology, and fine arts. Prerequisites: None.

T210 - COURT REPORTING TRANSCRIPT PREPARATION (3 CREDITS)
T210 is court reporting word processing and transcript preparation.  Students will work through a project book learning all aspects of preparing legal documents and transcripts for depositions, trials, hearings, and statements.  Students should attain a keyboarding speed on unfamiliar material at 60 words per minute with a maximum of five errors on two five-minute timed writings.  PREREQUISITES:  T110, C100, C110, and SH120.

SH200 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND IV (6 CREDITS)
Students will continue to develop their computerized machine shorthand technology skills and speed development during the fourth semester of their training. They will be in a minimum of eight hours of live dictation in literary, medical, jury charge and legal opinion, and court reporting testimony speed-building classes every week. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill, weekly transcriptions, and punctuation grades on dictation tests. They should pass at least one five-minute dictation test with 95 percent accuracy or better at a minimum of 100 words a minute to receive a grade of D and credit for SH200 during the semester. They must pass 120 wpm for a C, 140 wpm for a B, and 160 wpm for an A. Prerequisite: SH130.

CR200 - COURT REPORTING PROCEDURES (3 CREDITS)
Students will be introduced to a variety of topics necessary for the working reporter. They will learn how to transcribe multi-voice dictation using various acceptable forms. They will understand their role in the judicial process and learn the difference between reporting trials, depositions, statements, and hearings. They will learn to interrupt a speaker, various oaths for swearing a witness, research citations, report voir dire, set up a library and use reference materials, study the NCRA Code of Ethics, report on interpreted proceedings, certified questions, and prepare a deposition transcript. Students discuss video applications for court reporters, realtime transcribing, and the latest technological advances in court reporting including an overview in litigation support and its role in the judicial process. Students will transcribe ten pages of transcript in two hours with 95 percent accuracy involving multiple speakers. They will discuss the profession and related job opportunities. Students will create a formbook which includes various title pages, indexes, and certificates from various freelance and official reporters. Students will review legal terminologies and have quizzes over legal words, which have been assigned. Prerequisite: T210.

CR210 - TECHNOLOGY I (3 CREDITS)
Students will learn to operate and write for the computer using the computerized writer, read, translate, edit, and print transcript material on CAT; create and use permanent and job dictionaries; create and use certificate pages, etc.; perform editing and utilities function; and understand computer terminology. Students will learn to maintain the computer, understand computer realtime and online translations. Prerequisites: T210 and SH130.

SH220 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND V (6 CREDITS)
During this semester, students will begin high-speed dictation classes. They will have eight hours of dictation every week in literary, medical, jury charge and legal opinion, and court reporting testimony. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill, weekly transcriptions, and punctuation grades on dictation tests. They must pass five-minute dictation tests with a 95 percent accuracy or better, at a minimum speed of 120 words per minute to receive a D and credit for SH220 during the semester. They must pass five-minute tests at 140 wpm for a C; 160 wpm for a B; or 180 wpm for an A. Prerequisite: SH200.

CR280 - CSR/RPR PREPARATION (3 CREDITS)
This is a course for advanced court reporting students preparatory to entering the court reporting field as a certified court reporter.  During the second year of school, students will prepare for the national test, the Registered Professional Reporter (RPR), and state tests, the Certified Shorthand Reporter (CSR).  They will review all academics and take previous tests for review and evaluation.  These tests will be given once a week during the 15-week semester.  To prepare for the weekly tests, students will review punctuation, grammar, spelling, word usage, legal and medical terminologies, court reporting procedures, technology, and court reporting ethics.  Prerequisites:  C100, C110, LT200, MT100, SH220, CR200, and CR210.

TE201 - The Captioning Environment and Producing Captions (3 CREDITS)
The purpose of this course is to impart the skills and knowledge necessary to become a qualified realtime closed captioner.  Prerequisite:  CR210.

SH230 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND VI (6 CREDITS)
Students will have a minimum of eight hours of dictation every week in literary, medical, jury charge and legal opinion, and court reporting testimony. They will be required to turn in at least one transcription per week. Students will take simulated Certified Realtime Reporter (CRR) tests, and they will transcribe ten pages of transcript in two hours with 95 percent accuracy involving multiple speakers. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill, weekly transcriptions, and punctuation grades on dictation tests. They must pass five-minute dictation tests with 95 percent accuracy or better at a minimum speed of 140 words per minute to receive a D and credit for SH230 during the semester. They must pass five-minute tests at 160 wpm for a C; 180 wpm for a B; or 200 wpm for an A. Prerequisite: SH220.

CR290 - COURTROOM/COURT REPORTING PRACTICUM (1 CREDIT)
Students begin an on-the-job internship when they pass the 180 wpm requirement on two-voice testimony dictation test requirement -- two tests.  Students will spend 60 hours of actual time writing on the shorthand machine under the supervision of working reporters.  Interns will apply all aspects of court reporting procedures: swearing in witnesses, marking exhibits, making a title page, index page, certification page, direct and cross-examination, and parentheticals.  They will learn to mark, index, and store notes.  Students will transcribe at least 50 pages of a trial and/or deposition, which may be reviewed by the official or freelance reporter and graded by the court reporting instructor.   Prerequisites:  T210, CR200, SH230.

C150 - VOCABULARY AND USAGE (3 CREDITS)
This is a vocabulary and usage course for realtime court reporting students. Students will study proper English usage with an emphasis on words that are frequently confused and misused. Prerequisites: None

C260 - MODERN HISTORY (3 CREDITS)
Using periodicals, newspapers, and related reading assignments, students develop the challenges of critical thinking and the knowledge of current events and modern history. They will also learn to apply a variety of research techniques including the use of the Internet as a research tool. Topics may vary according to current trends and present-day news, but they will include issues involving international, national, state, and local governments, politics, events, economics, and business. Prerequisites: None

SH240 - COMPUTERIZED MACHINE SHORTHAND VII (6 CREDITS)
During the final semester, court reporting students will complete all shorthand requirements. They will have a minimum of eight hours of live dictation weekly on literary, medical, jury charge and legal opinion, and courtroom testimony. Students will turn in at least two transcriptions per week. Grades for this course will be based on shorthand skill, weekly transcription, and punctuation grades on dictation tests.

To fulfill court reporting graduation requirements for SH240, students must complete the following: pass three tests at each of the top speeds at 180 literary, 200 jury charge/legal opinion, and 225 courtroom testimony; take a simulated CRR test at a speed of 180 to 200 wpm literary; prepare a salable ten-page transcript on CAT in two hours with 95 percent accuracy involving multiple speakers; transcribe simulated CSR/RPR skills test at 180 literary, 200 jury charge, and 225 testimony with no more than 3.75 hours transcription time (75 minutes per test). Prerequisite: SH230.

The above curriculum prepares a graduate to work as a judicial (freelance or official) reporter. Students who want an endorsement to work as a broadcast captioner are required to take the following additional courses:

TE201 - The Captioning Environment and Producing Captions (3 CREDITS)
The purpose of this course is to impart the skills and knowledge necessary to become a qualified realtime closed captioner. Prerequisite: CR210.

TE202 - Captioning: TOOLS OF THE TRADE, COMPUTER SKILLS, TROUBLE MANAGEMENT, AND PRE AND POST TEST BANKS (3 CREDITS)
The purpose of this course is to impart the skills and knowledge necessary to become a qualified realtime closed captioner. The focus of this course will be on tools of the trade, computer skills, trouble management, pre and post test banks. Prerequisites: TE201.

TE300 - Broadcast Captioning (3 CREDITS)
The purpose of this course is to impart the skills and knowledge necessary to become a qualified realtime closed captioner. The focus of this course will be on completing the necessary requirements to become a qualified realtime closed captioner. This course will be updated to use the latest captioning technology and to meet the requirements of the National Court Reporters Association and the standards of the captioning industry. Prerequisites: TE201 and TE202


Students who want an endorsement to work as a CART reporter are required to take the following additional courses, which may be taken in place of M240 and M250:

TE270 - CLASSROOM CAPTIONING FOR THE DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING I (3 CREDITS)
Students apply realtime translation applications for the deaf and hard-of-hearing. They will understand hardware and software needed, setting up equipment, and interacting with faculty and students. They will attend a 3-credit lecture class and write all lectures and class discussions on their steno machine. Notes will be edited and prepared in readable format. Students will be familiar with the deaf culture. Prerequisites: Passing of 140 literary requirement and CR210.

TE280 - CLASSROOM CAPTIONING FOR THE DEAF AND HARD-OF-HEARING II (3 CREDITS)
This is an advanced application of TE270. Students will continue to apply realtime translation applications for the deaf and hard-of-hearing and attend a 3-credit course. Notes will be edited, error free, and prepared in readable format. Prerequisites: TE270 and CR210. 
 

 

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