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MASTER SYLLABUS |
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LAW 1020 |
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| Class Hours: 3.0 | Credit Hours: 3.0 | ||||||||
| Laboratory Hours: 0.0 | Revised: Spring 05 | ||||||||
| NOTE: This course is not designed for transfer credit. | |||||||||
| Catalog Course Description: | |||||||||
| Law as a process through which social problems are addressed in the United States. Introduction to the Constitution, and to its interpretation by the Supreme Court in case law. Exploration of factors affecting decisions of lawmakers, both legislative and administrative, and of law enforcement agencies. Introduction to the adversarial system. | |||||||||
| Entry Level Standards: | |||||||||
| College-level competencies in logic, reading, and English are required. Students must have completed, or be enrolled in, or be eligible to be enrolled in ENGL 1010. | |||||||||
| Prerequisites: | |||||||||
| None | |||||||||
| Textbook(s) and Other Course Materials: | |||||||||
| Textbooks:
Peltason, J.W., Corwin & Peltason's Understanding the Constitution, (15th Ed.) (Harcourt Brace, 2000). Quinn, Daniel. Ishmael (Bantam, 1992) (Paperback) Other Required Supplies: ProfPak--TBA |
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| I. Week/Unit/Topic Basis: | |||||||||
| Week | Topic | ||||||||
| 1 | Introduction to legal reasoning: Case of the Speluncean explorers; Assignment of Supreme Court Justice Reports | ||||||||
| 2 | The Framers; U. S. Constitution; Federalism; Marbury v. Madison; U. S. Supreme Court; Selection Process; Caseload; Decisions | ||||||||
| 3 | Justice Reports | ||||||||
| 4 | Crime and Punishment: Psychology and the Legal System; Search and Seizure; Exclusionary Rule | ||||||||
| 5 | Insanity Defense; Eyewitnesses; Police; Death Penalty; Consensual Crimes | ||||||||
| 6 | Consensual Crimes; Field Trip | ||||||||
| 7 | Freedom of Religion; Freedom of Speech; Freedom of Press and Assembly | ||||||||
| 8 | Second Amendment and Gun Control | ||||||||
| 9 | Discrimination; Women | ||||||||
| 10 | Privacy; Juvenile Offenders | ||||||||
| 11 | Affirmative Action; Lawyers and Litigation; Juries; Jury Nullification | ||||||||
| 12 | Glamour Law |
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| 13-14 | Presentation
of Research Papers |
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| 15 | Final Examination |
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| II. Course Objectives*: | |||||||||
| A. | Demonstrate a complete and thorough understanding of legal ethics. I, III | ||||||||
| B. | Demonstrate an adequate understanding of the processes by which officials (judges, jurors, lawyers, law enforcement agents, etc.) reach legal decisions. I, II, III, IV | ||||||||
| C. | Identify basic constitutional principles which shape and limit legal processes. I, II, III, IV | ||||||||
| D.
E. |
Exhibit a complete
and thorough understanding of the adversary system. I, II, III, IV
Demonstrate an adequate understanding of how political, cultural and economic factors affect the way legal institutions function. II, III, IV |
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| F. | Exhibit an adequate understanding of how social and economic factors affect outcomes in adversarial dispute resolution. I, II, III | ||||||||
| G. H. |
Demonstrate an
adequate understanding of how the adversarial system shapes lawyering processes
and legal ethics. II, III, IV
Demonstrate an adequate understanding of how partisan politics, economics, social concerns, public approval influence appointment of U. S. Supreme Court Justices. I, II, III, IV, V |
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| I. J. |
Demonstrate an
awareness of the discretionary power officials wield in interpreting, applying,
and enforcing the law. I, II, III
Acquire enhanced understanding of legal terminology. I, II, IV |
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| K. L. |
Demonstrate an
adequate understanding of what "rights" are guaranteed to individuals by the
U. S. Constitution. I, II, III, IV
Identify constitutional principles which protect autonomy and privacy. I, II, III |
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| M. N. |
Demonstrate an
adequate understanding of the many attitudes which may affect verdicts and
sentencing decisions. I, II, III, IV
Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the importance of analyzing contradictory opinions and reaching a conclusion based on facts rather than assumptions. I, II, III, IV, V |
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| *Roman numerals after course objectives reference goals of the Paralegal Studies program. | |||||||||
| III. Instructional Processes*: | |||||||||
| Students will: | |||||||||
| 1. | Practice elements of the work ethic such as professionalism, preparedness, punctuality, honesty, cooperation, dependability, contribution, effectiveness, good manners, etc. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Development Outcome, Transitional Strategy | ||||||||
| 2. | Refine their reading skills and expand their legal vocabularies through completion of weekly guided reading exercises that allows them to communicate more effectively with lawyers and legal professionals. Communication Outcome, Transitional Strategy | ||||||||
| 3. | Strengthen their analytical skills by locating court cases and statutes in the ERCand on Westlaw to determine the application of the rules of law to specific facts. Information Literacy Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 4. | Examine ethical issues related to legal representation, unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality, duty of legal professional to provide legal services, etc. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 5. | Participate in extensive discussion exercises. Personal Development Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 6. | View video tapes of various positions regarding jury nullification, death penalty, insanity defense, abortion, gun control, etc. to stimulate an objective analytic process which is vital in a law office. Personal Development Outcome, Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Information Literacy Outcome, Cultural Diversity and Social Adaptation Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| 7. | Develop investigative skills using the Internet, library, and other resources to find relevant information for writing a report on an assigned topic. Problem Solving and Decision Making Outcome, Information Literacy Outcome, Technological Literacy Outcome, Transitional Strategy, Active Learning Strategy | ||||||||
| *Strategies and outcomes listed after instructional processes reference Pellissippi State’s goals for strengthening general education knowledge and skills, connecting coursework to experiences beyond the classroom, and encouraging students to take active and responsible roles in the educational process. | |||||||||
| IV. Expectations for Student Performance*: | |||||||||
| Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be able to: | |||||||||
| 1. | Recognize and avoid acts that constitute unethical behavior. A | ||||||||
| 2. | Critique popularly held notions about the structure and function of the American legal system. A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, M, N | ||||||||
| 3. | Distinguish stated rationales from unstated factors affecting judicial decision-making. A, B, C, E, F, H, I, M, N | ||||||||
| 4. | Analyze the impact of social trends on the process of stare decisis. B, E, F, H, I, M, N | ||||||||
| 5. | Compare and contrast methods for broader community participation in the legal process. B, C, E, F, H, M | ||||||||
| 6. | Explain the doctrine of jury nullification. B, C, E, F, H, J, M | ||||||||
| 7. | Write an objective research paper containing opposing views. C, E, F, H, I, M | ||||||||
| 8. | Make a detailed accurate presentation on the Justices of the U. S. Supreme Court. B, E, F, H, I | ||||||||
| 9. | Write a well-reasoned essay on an assigned topic citing to the U. S. Constitution. C, J, K, N | ||||||||
| 10. | Participate in teams to analyze various legal, social and ethical concerns that face today's society. B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| 11. | Explain opposing views of the exclusionary rule. B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| 12. | Explain opposing views to the need for affirmative action. B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| 13. | Explain opposing views to the decision in Roe v. Wade. B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| 14. | Explain opposing interpretations of 2nd Amendment. B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| 15. | Participate in healthy debates of current issues using facts and logic on which to base an opinion. A, B, E, F, J, K, L, M, N | ||||||||
| *Letters after performance expectations reference the course objectives listed above. | |||||||||
| V. Evaluation: | |||||||||
| A. Testing Procedures: | |||||||||
| A full explanation of student evaluation will be presented by the Instructor's Supplementary Syllabus the first week of class. | |||||||||
| B. Laboratory Expectations: | |||||||||
| N/A | |||||||||
| C. Field Work: | |||||||||
| Students are expected to attend a class tour of the Knox County Jail and the Tennessee Court of Criminal appeals for oral argument. | |||||||||
| D. Other Evaluation Methods: | |||||||||
| Class
participation, group work, and homework will also comprise the final grade
for the course. The instructor will provide full details the first
week of class via a syllabus supplement. All tests and papers will be graded for spelling and English usage in addition to content and format. Any student encountering academic difficulty during the term is strongly encouraged to meet with the instructor to discuss options and solutions. |
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| E. Grading Scale: | |||||||||
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A 93-100 B+ 88- 92 B 83- 87 C+ 78- 82 C 73- 77 D 65- 72 F 64 and below |
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| VI. Policies: | |||||||||
| A. Attendance Policy: | |||||||||
| Pellissippi State Technical Community College expects students to attend all scheduled instructional activities. As a minimum, students in all courses must be present for at least 75 percent of their scheduled class and laboratory meetings in order to receive credit for the course. [NOTE: No differentiation is noted for excused/unexcused absences. These will be treated as an absence.] (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, page 83) | |||||||||
| B. Academic Dishonesty: | |||||||||
| Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which may be imposed through the regular Pellissippi State procedures as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination or to assign an F in the course. (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, pages 62-63) | |||||||||
| C.
Accommodations for disabilities: |
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| If you need accommodation because of a disability, if you have
emergency medical information to share, or if you need special arrangements
in case the building must be evacuated, please inform the instructor immediately.
Privately after class or in the instructor's office. To request accommodations students must register with Services for Students with Disabilities: Goins 127 or 131, Phone: (865) 539-7153 or (865) 694-6751 Voice/TDD. |
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| D.
Other Policies: |
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| Computer
Usage Guidelines: College-owned or –operated computing resources are provided for use by students of Pellissippi State. All students are responsible for the usage of Pellissippi State’s computing resources in an effective, efficient, ethical and lawful manner. (Pellissippi State, 2004-2006 Catalog, pages 67-70) Late Work: Late papers will not be accepted nor will make-up tests be given without specific approval of the instructor. |
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