Constitutional Law

Course Details

Course Number: 4233  Section Number: X20

Spring 2012

Location: Martin Hall

Classroom Number: online

Days & Times:

Online Meetings

Course Attachments

Syllabus  ConstitutionalLawSyllabusSp12.docx

Textbooks

Constitutional Law and the Criminal Justice System  ISBN: 0-495-81126-8
MSU Faculty Member
Laura Woods Fidelie   
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Course Objectives

At the conclusion of this course, you should:

 

  1. Have a more extensive awareness of the provisions of the U.S. Constitution and the ways that they have been interpreted by the Supreme Court
  2. Have a strong ability to read, process, and interpret the case law that relates to the Constitution
  3. Be able to address our nation’s struggle with federalism and the ways that the Constitution provides for a separation of powers and checks and balances on each branch of government
  4. Be able to address and understand the rights afforded to U.S. citizens under the 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 14th Constitutional amendments, as well as what limits may be placed upon those rights by federal and state governments
  5. Be able to address the various social and political issues that arise as a result of the government both granting and limiting these rights

Course Expectations

Course Requirements

 

            1) Discussion Questions

 

The discussion questions you respond to each week are a critical and integral portion of the course.  This is where I can make the determination, or non-determination, that you are (1) reading, (2) comprehending, (3) applying, and (4) correlating the knowledge you learn to other aspects of the course and your degree program in general. 

 

For each discussion question asked, I am looking for a detailed and well thought-out answer that integrates the assigned reading, your knowledge, and your own thoughts and perspective on the question posed.  Your answers to discussion questions must utilize correct grammar, capitalization, and punctuation.  When referencing outside material, proper APA citations must be given.  If you have any questions on what constitutes a quality answer to a discussion question, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Your answers must be posted as text within the WebCT text box.  Do not post your answers as a document attachment.  Each question must be answered separately within the thread started for each question.  Do not answer all the questions in one posting.  Answers that are posted as document attachments or answered all in one posting WILL NOT BE GRADED.

 

Your own answers to the discussion questions will constitute 75% of your grade for each discussion assignment.

 

 

2) Discussion Board Participation

 

Every week throughout the semester, discussions will be held via WebCT.  Discussions are a vital part of the class, as they occur in lieu of live class discussions that would normally take place in a traditional class setting.  Thoughtful participation in each of these discussions is mandatory and will be calculated as a part of your participation grade.  Discussions will take place by each student:

 

  1. answering each discussion question given for that week AND
  2. responding to the answer that another student has given to one of that week’s discussion questions. 

 

In addition to responding to that week’s assigned discussion questions with your own answers, each student must respond to the answer of any fellow student at least one time per week.  When responding to the answer of a fellow student, you must comment upon his or her answer to the discussion question, state whether you agree or disagree with the answer and reasoning given, and give support for your response.  Your responses to the answers of fellow students must contain a minimum of 200 words.  Responses must utilize proper grammar, punctuation, and capitalization.  When referencing outside material, proper APA citations must be used. 

 

Your response to a classmate will count for 25% of your grade for each discussion assignment.

 

When responding to the answers and thoughts of another student, it is perfectly acceptable to agree or disagree with their answer.  However, all responses must be constructive, must not be derogatory in any way, must not use inappropriate language, and must show respect for the thoughts and opinions of your fellow students.  If you would not make the comment in the classroom, do not make it on WebCT.  Violating these rules of etiquette will result in a loss of all points associated with that response.  If there are any questions about what constitutes an appropriate response, please contact the professor.

 

 

3) Examinations

 

Three exams will be given during the semester.  The first exam will cover the material assigned for weeks 1, 2, 3, and 4.  The second exam will cover the material assigned for weeks 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.  The final exam will be cumulative, and will also cover the reading for weeks 12 and 13.  The purpose of these exams is to assess your knowledge and application of the information presented throughout the readings, class discussions, and assignments.  Because of the nature of an online course, these exams are inevitably open book.  As such, I am looking for exam answers that show me that you have taken the materials presented in the course, comprehended them, and applied them to real-life scenarios and to your own thought processes, rather than merely reciting facts from a textbook. 

 

Exams are to be completed individually by each student.  Collaboration with other students is not allowed on exams.  Collaboration will be considered an act of academic dishonesty.


Grading Standards

Grading Policy

 

Exam I                                                            15%

 

            Exam II                                                          20%

 

            Exam III                                                         25%

 

            WebCT Discussion & Participation            35%

           

                                                                        Total   100%

 

 

Failure to complete any of these assignments will result in a grade of F for the course.

 

All assignments will be graded on a 100-point scale. 

 

Your final grade will be determined on the following scale:

 

                        A=       90-100   

                        B=       80-89     

                        C=       70-79     

                        D=       60-69

                        F=        60-below


Submission Format PolicyNote: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

It is very important that you submit each assignment by the due date (see course schedule).  For each day that an assignment is late, 50 points will be subtracted from the final score for that assignment.  After 2 days, the assignment will no longer be accepted.  Deadlines will be adhered to and strictly enforced. 


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.