Syllabus - Requirements for Spring 2008
Social Science 1002 -- Orientation to Legal Careers
http://www.social.mtu.edu/faculty/speters/SS1002Spr08_Home.htm
Instructor: Susanna
Peters J.D.
Office Location: 218 Academic Office Bldg. (Dept. of Social
Science)
Office Phone: 906-487-2391
Office Hours: Weds 3-4, T/Th 1-2, after class, by appt or
drop in.
E-Mail: SPeters@mtu.edu
Class Meetings: Wednesday
4:05 – 5:55 p.m. Room 402 MEEM
Course Website: http://www.social.mtu.edu/faculty/speters/SS1002Spr08_Home.htm
I. Course Goals:
This course has three
essential purposes. First, it is an
introduction to the basic elements of the American legal system – legal
reasoning, courts, judges, juries, lawyers, law school and the legal
profession. We will read about these aspects of the legal system and we will
study them directly through ‘field trips’ to local courtrooms, presentations by
several attorneys, and interviews with alumni attorneys about the challenges of
their work. You will also have some
hands-on exposure to legal research and argument through the assignments that
are due in this class.
Second, at a more theoretical
level, this course will also examine how courts interpret the law, and how the
attorney’s role as advocate shapes this interpretation. Many students enter law school or law related
fields in order to affect some social or political change, they hope that as
lawyers they may be able to impart ‘better’ justice. So we will ask if judges
and juries make decisions based on the law, or on their social /political
beliefs and if it is possible – or desirable to use law to change society? Through ongoing discussion and debate students
will learn that while the law may not always provide a precise answer or even a
good solution to social problems, it can provide a useful analytical framework
for discussing many issues.
Finally, the goal of this
class is for you to know more about the limits and opportunities of the legal
system, especially what it would be like to practice law, work in the court
system, be a litigant or to need legal advice. A critical goal of this class is
to inspire you to think about how to achieve your own goals, now and when you
graduate from MTU.
II. Texts and Required
1) Moliterno & Lederer,
“An Introduction to Law, Law Study and the Lawyer’s Role, 2d Ed.”
2) Robert H. Miller, “
3) Jonathon Harr, “A Civil
Action”
III. Course Requirements:
One of the most important
requirements of this class is that you come to class prepared to participate. Occasionally I will lecture, but on most days
there will be group activities, oral arguments, discussion, small group
projects or outside speakers who expect your interest and active participation
as well. This class only meets once a
week, accordingly, attendance at all sessions is required and I will take
attendance most days.
If you miss more than one class
period without an excuse from the Dean of Student office you may receive a
grade reduction. Contact me in advance
if you know you will be absent for a very good reason, if there is a good
reason I will excuse one class period.
However, even if the absence is excused you will not be able to make up in class assignments (such as
presentations, quizzes, group work etc.) unless the Dean of Student’s office
contacts me.
In addition to regular class
attendance students are expected to observe a court session (about 1.5 hours)
and attend a presentation by an eligible outside speaker during the course of
the semester. You will be released from class time for your participation in
these events.
Finally -- Snow – as you know Michigan Tech rarely
has ‘snow days’. However, coming from milder climes, I have more conservative
views about the safety of driving in snow storms. Thus, if the weather looks very bad (i.e.
dangerous) we may cancel class. I will send a note to via email by 2:30 p.m. on
the day of class. This has only happened
twice in 6 years.
Grading and Assignments: You will be
graded based on written and oral presentations. You may also gain up to 10 points
for your involvement in class, regular attendance and class participation. There
are a number of in class writing assignments that may also be graded for up to
10 points each.
The point value for each
regular assignment is indicated on the assignment.
Assignments: You will complete approximately 8-10 written
assignments and be involved in a Mock Trial.
Please refer to the Schedule and assignments page of the course website
for additional information. Beware, we will frequently discuss the details of
the assignment in class, and dates may change as the course develops. It is your responsibility to keep up with
these changes by checking your email, the website and of course attending class
so that you understand what is required in each assignment. If you have
questions about an assignment or class work you need to email me right
away. I am usually able to respond to
email by the next working day (i.e. not Sat or Sun) if not sooner.
Format for Submitting Assignments: Unless
otherwise specified, all assignments must be typed in a 12 point font, double
spaced with approximately one-inch margins on all sides.
Late Assignments: All late assignments will lose 5% of their point value per day, losing
a maximum of 50% if turned in two weeks late.
If you have a serious illness or other emergency contact the Office of
Student Affairs (7-2212) for an excused absence/late assignment that will not
accrue a penalty.
Absences and the Problem of in class writing
assignments and activities: You will not get credit for in-class writing
assignments or exercises such as the peer review exercise if you are not in
class to complete the assignment. The only exception to this policy is if you
have an excused absence from the Dean of Students office and the assignment can
indeed be completed outside class. Some
in class assignments are based on group work or special presentations by a
guest speaker – obviously you cannot get credit for these assignments unless
you were in class for that speaker or activity.
Summary of Class Requirements:
Turn in Assignments on
Time – Show Up – Get Involved
MTU complies with all federal
and state laws and regulations regarding discrimination, including the
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. If you have a disability and
need reasonable accommodation for equal access to education and services at
MTU, please contact Dr. Gloria Melton in the Office of Student Affairs (phone 487-2212).
For other concerns about discrimination, you may talk with your teacher, your
advisor, a department chair, or the Affirmative Action Officer (phone 7-3310).
Please see me to make
arrangements if you have a disability that requires accommodation under the
Americans with Disabilities Act.
Pre-law Information Websites: see -- www.prelaw.mtu.edu
There are many resources
available to help students who are pursuing law as a careers. Some good examples of pre-law information can
be found in the sources listed below:
·
American Bar
Association -- http://www.abanet.org/legaled/prelaw
·
·
·
Louisiana State
University Prelaw website: http://www.artsci.lsu.edu/poli/prelaw.html
·
Jurist: http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/
Legal News and Research:
·
News and analysis
related to the Supreme Court from the Medill School of Journalism: http://www.oyez.org/oyez/frontpage
or http://docket.medill.northwestern.edu/
·
Cornell Legal
Information Institute http://www.LII
·
Findlaw Legal
news: http://news.findlaw.com/?lid=News_button
·
Center For
Democracy and Technology: http://cdt.org
Misc law blogs that I like to check on:
·
The Volokh
Conspiracy: http://www.volokh.com
·
ScotusBlog: http://www.goldsteinhowe.com/blog/index.cfm
·
The Religion
Clause, http://religionclause.blogspot.com/
·
Wall Street
Journal Law Blog, http://blogs.wsj.com/law/
·
Daily Writ, http://dailywrit.com/
·
Copyfight, http://copyfight.corante.com/
·
Goldman
Technology and Marketing Law Blog, http://blog.ericgoldman.org/
·
etc