Syllabus

CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
SPRING SEMESTER
POLS-3063B (ZAP 2610)
Credit hours: 3
Instructor: Gary Rutledge
Office: 303 (Prep. Hall)
Phone: 918-343-7800
E-mail: rutledge@garyrutledge.com
Website: http://www.garyrutledge.com

IMPORTANT! RETAIN THIS SYLLABUS FOR REFERENCE THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is an intense analysis of federal and state court decisions that interpret the United States Constitution as to the authority and process of criminal justice agencies. Topics include a historical overview, the Bill of Rights, trial and punishment, civil remedies and Constitutional conduct, and Constitutional and civil rights in the workplace.

Course learning objectives
1. To understand key cases, legal terms, clauses, and chronologies in constitutional law
2. To understand constitutional frameworks for criminal justice procedures and policies
3. To examine the historical evolution of constitutional doctrines, standards, and tests
4. To analyze both early and contemporary judicial thinking and legal reasoning
5. To articulate informed opinion over important, controversial, constitutional issues
6. To recognize important considerations dealing with civil rights and liberties
7. To appreciate the scholarly study of law and its application

Supported Program Goals

To develop a level of competence in the core discipline(s) of the social sciences to allow for further inquiry and study.

How Evaluated

Through class discussions, written web assignments, subject quizzes, pre/post tests, midterm/final papers, midterm/final exams.

In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security

To prepare students to function successfully in a society that is heading toward globalization and becoming more culturally diverse

Through class discussions, on-line case studies, and written web assignments.

Understand controversial issues that have profound implications for the way men and women perceive themselves.
Recognize the ways in which a scientific approach can be used to formulate an understanding of the observable world.

To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.

Through class discussions, on-line case studies, and written web assignments.

Work collaboratively with other students.

To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.

Through collaborative on-line case studies and on-line threaded discussions.

Express ideas orally, in writing, and online

To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.

Through class discussions, on-line case studies, written web assignments, on-line threaded discussions.

PREREQUISITE
College-level Reading and Writing skills will be required for successful completion of this course. Basic computer skills, such as the ability to handle e-mail, a search engine, and a word processor will be essential. The student should be able to create, save, and copy and paste documents.

TEXT AND OTHER MATERIALS
American Constitutional Law, 7th ed., vol. 1, Ralph A. Rossum & G. Alan Tarr ISBN Number: 0-495-00752-8

COURSE OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this course, students should be familiar with (1) the functioning of constitutional interpretation, its different approaches and applications, in the American political system, (2) the mechanisms of constitutional interpretation, (3) basic concepts in constitutional law, such as due process, separation of powers, etc., (4) the process of reading and briefing decisions of the Supreme Court, and (5) the nature of constitutional government under the American system.

INSTRUCTORS WEBSITE INTERACTIVE WORK SCHEDULE
The heart of the Website is an interactive Work Schedule and its calendar. The calendar a weekly schedule of work with appropriate links to learning tools in the Website. The site is also interactive in that students can use it to communicate privately or openly with other students and the instructor. Weekly assignments, Quizzes, Case Studies, Web Assignments, and Research Papers are submitted directly into the Website on or before the due dates shown on the calendar of the Work Schedule. Threaded discussions for each unit of work should be posted on my Threaded Discussion Forum and are also due according to the Work Schedule Calendar.

INSTRUCTORS WEBSITE GRADE PAGE
Students with proper ID numbers may view a current summary of their grades from any computer. Grades should be checked often for posting accuracy and grade average.
To check your grades:
Go to: www.garyrutledge.com
Click on "Grades"
When master grade page opens, click on the appropriate button for your class.
Scan down class grade page for your ID# and grades
Column headings are abbreviations of the unit assignments and will be in the same sequence as course calendar.

WEB ASSIGNMENTS
Short written essay assignments (Chapter Wrap Ups) are due according to the due date on the Work Schedule for each unit/subject of work. These short essay assignments will be submitted directed to the Gary Rutledge Learning site (GRLS) with links provided in the GRLS Work Schedule. Web Assignments less than the required length will have one letter grade deducted.

FINAL MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM
A comprehensive final exam of approximately 50 multiple choice questions will be due according to the due date on the Work Schedule. Most of questions will come from the chapters covered since mid-term; however, some questions will be scattered over the fist chapters as well. The Final quiz is open book.

METHOD OF EVALUATION
The grading scale is 100-90=A, 89-80=B, 79-70=C, 69-0=F. Grades will accumulate from a combination of written web assignments, threaded discussion, multiple choice chapter quizzes, on-line case studies, multiple choice midterm, written midterm web assignment, multiple choice final exam, written final web assignment, and in some cases outside class projects for extra credit.

FINAL SCORE TO BE DETERMINED AS FOLLOWS
Case Briefs: 30%
Presentations: 20%
Web Assignments: 40%
Attendance: 10%

LATE ASSIGNMENTS
A deduction of one letter grade may be assessed to any work submitted late. Late work will be accepted only at the discretion of the instructor on a case by case basis.

PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the representation of the words or ideas of another as one’s own, including: direct quotation without both attribution and indication that the material is being directly quoted; e.g. quotation marks; paraphrase without attribution; paraphrase with or without attribution where the wording of the original remains substantially intact and is represented as the author’s own; expression in one’s own words, but without attribution, of ideas, arguments, lines of reasoning, facts, processes, or other products of the intellect where such material is learned from the work of another and is not part of the general fund of common knowledge.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT
Rogers State University is committed to providing students with disabilities equal access to educational programs and services. Any student who has a disability that he or she believes will require some form of academic accommodation must inform the professor of such need during or immediately following the first class attended. Before any educational accommodation can be provided, it is the responsibility of each student to prove eligibility for assistance by registering for services through Student Affairs.

Students needing more information about Student Disability Services should contact the office of Student Development at 918-343-7707.

WITHDRAWAL STATEMENT
It is hoped that no one will ever have to withdraw: however, if unforeseen circumstances force a student to withdraw from the course, the student should initiate an official withdraw through the registrar's office. Do not just quick submitting work. Without an official withdrawal an "F" will be the only result. Non-performance does not constitute official withdrawal.

CHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
Notify your college registrar and your instructor immediately if any of your student data should change such as your address, telephone number. E-mail address. This information must be accurate for proper and timely communications.

CHANGE OF SYLLABUS INFORMATION
At the instructor's discretion procedures and policy are subject to change at any time.

Course learning objectives 1. To understand key cases, legal terms, clauses, and chronologies in constitutional law 2. To understand constitutional frameworks for criminal justice procedures and policies 3. To examine the historical evolution of constitutional doctrines, standards, and tests 4. To analyze both early and contemporary judicial thinking and legal reasoning 5. To articulate informed opinion over important, controversial, constitutional issues 6. To recognize important considerations dealing with civil rights and liberties 7. To appreciate the scholarly study of law and its application	Supported Program Goals To develop a level of competence in the core discipline(s) of the social sciences to allow for further inquiry and study.	How Evaluated Through class discussions, written web assignments, subject quizzes, pre/post tests, midterm/final papers, midterm/final exams.
In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential: 1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems 2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements 3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time 4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies 5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals 6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups 7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security	To prepare students to function successfully in a society that is heading toward globalization and becoming more culturally diverse	Through class discussions, on-line case studies, and written web assignments.
Understand controversial issues that have profound implications for the way men and women perceive themselves. Recognize the ways in which a scientific approach can be used to formulate an understanding of the observable world.	To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.	Through class discussions, on-line case studies, and written web assignments.
Work collaboratively with other students.	To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.	Through collaborative on-line case studies and on-line threaded discussions.
Express ideas orally, in writing, and online	To equip students with the academic skills necessary to successfully address increasingly complex, multidisciplinary problems in the social sciences.	Through class discussions, on-line case studies, written web assignments, on-line threaded discussions.