LS: Pre-Law: Course Syllabus

POS/PLA 470

Senior Seminar in Law

 

 

 

Fall Semester TT @ 11:00—12:15

Instructor:
Judge Richard Poland, Associate Professor of Law.

Office Hours:
My office is in Kenan Hall Room 309. I am there for student meetings from 7:30-9:00 A.M. or by appointment at other times. My office door is always open to you.

Phone: 819-6338
E-mail: polandrc@flagler.edu

Textbook:
The Supreme Court, William Rehnquist, New Edition, 2001, Knopf.
The New York Times (Order this at the College Bookstore to obtain a discount)
Additional resources at: www.flagler.edu/academics/prelaw/index.html.
Also see resources at the Proctor Library such as Historic U.S. Court Cases.

Course Objectives:
The objectives of this course are for students to understand the institution known
as the United States Supreme Court and important areas of constitutional law. Each
student will synthesize several of the Court’s most significant decisions. We will track the important cases under consideration by the Court as reported in the New York Times.

Course Requirements:
Read the text and law cases, discuss the material in class, write and present a 12 - 16
page paper with two briefs of U.S. Supreme Court opinions which are relevant to your research. Each student will choose a Constitutional Area upon which to write. The areas for research include civil rights, civil liberties, criminal procedure, rights of privacy, abortion rights, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, equality under the law, property rights, immunities, federalism, separation of powers, political question doctrine, substantive and procedural due process or related issues.

Grading Scale:
A= 90-100, B=80-89, C=70-79, D=60-69, F= 59 or below.

I reserve the right to “bump up” borderline grades for superior class participation.

Course Outline:
I. Submit Constitutional Thesis Topic
II. Discuss Various Constitutional Areas
III. Complete Final Draft by 10th Week
IV. Present Papers For Class Analysis

Grading:
Eighty percent of the final grade is for the research paper, briefs, and presentation. The final exam counts for 20% of the final grade.

Attendance:
Attendance is expected and necessary. More than two unexcused absences are unacceptable and will result in a grade reduction. Two tardys equal one absence. Six absences result in the assignment of a WP or a WF. (See Catalog)

Cheating:
Cheating will not be tolerated. He or she who cheats receives an F for the course.
Plagiarism is a form of cheating which will result in an F for this course.

Methods of Instruction:
The professor will employ the Socratic method. Students will present papers, field questions, and participate in class discussion. Periodically, the class will discuss current issues in law as covered by articles in The New York Times.

Expected Learning Outcomes:
Students will understand several important areas of the law as developed by the Supreme
Court. Students will be able to brief and synthesize decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Statement on Disabilities:
Special services and reasonable accommodations are available for students
who are registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities,
and who request assistance with appropriate documentation prior to the start
of the semester. I will do my best to reasonably accommodate you.

Cell Phones:
Cell phones must be turned off during class, unless prior approval is given because of
an emergency situation. Are these not annoying and disruptive?

Course Schedule:
Because the future is unwritten and uncertain, this schedule is subject to modification by the professor for the benefit of the class and for other sufficient reasons.

Week One: Introduction of the course and discussion of the terms of the syllabus.

Week Two: Discussion of research techniques in class and at the Proctor Library.

Week Three: Discussion of writing style and submission of outlines. Topic is due.

Week Four: Rehnquist Text Chapters 1-3.

Week Five: Rehnquist Text Chapters 4-6.

Week Six: Rehnquist Text Chapters 7-9.

Week Seven: First Draft is due. Individual Conferences to discuss papers.

Week Eight: Rehnquist Text Chapters 10-12.

Week Nine: Rehnquist Text Chapters 13-15.

Week Ten: Final Papers Are Due.

Week Eleven: Presentation of Papers.

Week Twelve: Presentation of Papers.

Week Thirteen: Presentation of Papers.

Week Fourteen: Presentation of Papers.

Week Fifteen: Final Exam: See Registrar’s Schedule

 

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