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Legal Studies 101 Shawn Newman, J.D.
Fall 2011
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Also Available on
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New and used on Amazon.com |
New and used copies on Amazon.com |
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LS 101: Legal Environment & Ethics |
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Tue/Thur 9:30 AM – 10:20 AM (3 Credits) Room: Harned 211 |
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Instructor: Shawn Newman, J.D. [http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/snewman/] IM Support via faculty home page available M & W 7- 9 AM (and by appointment) Office Hours: 10:30-11:30 Harned 113 |
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Section 2
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Required Resources:
SMU E-mail address [I frequently send quizzes, exams and articles of interest via e-mail]
Text: Law 101: Everything You Need to Know About American Law [3rd Ed., Oxford University Press (2010)] by Jay M. Feinman
See Moodle weekly assignments AND forums for additional readings
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Course Description & Objectives:
This course introduces the student to the American legal system, including sources of law; topical areas within the law; legal process; basic legal research methods; and ethical issues. It is the initial, introductory course in Legal Studies and is required for completion of a minor in Legal Studies. The course features a broad range of guest speakers as well as a number of field trips to courts, law libraries, and law offices. - |
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Statement to Students with Disabilities: Students wishing to request appropriate accommodations are responsible for initiating contact with the SMU Office of Disability Support Services located at 214 OM [phone 438-4580; lpuryear@stmartin.edu]. The office will access the individual needs of each student, assist him or her in communicating those needs to faculty and staff and help the student obtain the materials, services, and the assistance necessary to successfully pursue their higher education. |
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Statement to Students concerning Academic Dishonesty Acts of academic dishonesty, plagiarism and cheating are considered unethical actions and a violation of university’s academic policy (SMU Catalog). Sanctions and procedures are included in the SMU Academic Catalog.
Policy on Incompletes: Grades of Incomplete (I) are rare and highly disfavored. A student will be eligible to seek an Incomplete (I) if (A) the student has completed 60% or more of the class assignments with a grade of C or better and (B) cannot complete the requirements of the course within the semester due to extraordinary circumstances. Requests for Incompletes must be made at least one week prior to Final Exam Week. The decision as to whether or not to grant a grade of Incomplete (I) rests with the discretion of the Instructor.
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Section 3
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University Mission and Academic Values (SMU Catalog - Selected Excerpts)
University Mission: “Saint Martin’s University is a Catholic Benedictine institution of higher education that empowers students to pursue a lifetime of learning and accomplishment in all arenas of human endeavor. Saint Martin’s students learn to make a positive difference in their lives and in the lives of others through the interaction of faith, reason, and service. The university honors both the sacredness of the individual and the significance of community in the ongoing journey of becoming.” University Academic Values: Knowledge, Spirituality, Hospitality, Service, Creativity, Communication, Inquiry, Discovery, Holistic Education.
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Section 4
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General Class Policy: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/snewman/general_class_policies.htm |
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Course Grading Scale: 93-100 = A 87-90 = B+ 77-80 = C+ 67-70 =D+ Below 60: F 90-93 = A- 83-87 = B 73-77 = C 63-67 = D 80-83 = B- 70-73 = C- 60-63 = D- |
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Grade determination method: 40%; Quizzes (4) [may or may not be announced so keep up and do the problems at the end of each chapter] 20%: Presentations & Debates (2) 20%: Final 20%: Active attendance |
Section 5
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Overview/List of Weekly Assignments: This is subject to change so refer to Moodle for updates. You will notice we repeat topics and readings for some weeks to allow flexibility and to inform you as to what is coming. We will endeavor to highlight what reading is expected for the next class and week. This schedule does not include quizzes* which will typically be take home (but not always) .
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CLASSES BEGIN: AUGUST 30, 2010 |
WEEK 1: AUGUST 30 - SEPTEMBER 5
READING: Law 101 Chapter 1: Introduction & You Can Understand the Law
REVIEW - BASIC LEGAL RESEARCH TOOLS AT: State Law Library: http://www.courts.wa.gov/library/ Instructor Legal Research & Writing Resources: http://homepages.stmartin.edu/fac_staff/snewman/Research_links.htm
CASE STUDIES FOR GROUP RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION & DEBATE: Arizona Immigration Law Health Care Reform
FIELD TRIP: State Law Library & State Supreme Court
NOTE COURT HEARINGS/OPPORTUNITIES TO OBSERVE:
9/1 @10 am Family PAC v. McKenna - US District Court (Tacoma) challenge to $5,000 campaign contribution limits during the final 21 days of a campaign. Attorney Scott F. Bieniek represents Family PAC and is co-counsel with Newman on Eyman v. Reed.
9/3 @ 9 am Eyman v. Reed - oral argument at Thurston Co. Superior Court (Judge Hicks) - Newman represents Eyman who seeks to prevent disclosure of the names, addresses and telephone numbers of petitioners based on state law and state constitution. The Supreme Court of the US [SCOTUS] ruled that the US Constitution does not prevent disclosure. See: http://www.scotuswiki.com/index.php?title=Doe_v._Reed
Thursday, September 2 @ 10:45: Mass of the Holy Spirit
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WEEK 2: SEPTEMBER 6 – SEPTEMBER 12
READING: Law 101 Chapter 2: Constitutional Law and Constitutional Politics: Interpreting and Applying the Constitution A declaration for all time: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-declaration-20100704,0,1284401.story
CASE STUDIES FOR GROUP RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION & DEBATE: Arizona Immigration Law: latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arizona-law-qa-20100706,0,6651413.story Health Care Reform: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/obamasdeal/
Thursday, September 9: Constitution Day Program at Harned 110 The Curious Case of the Howling Pig: constitutional protections against unlawful searches and seizures. See: : http://www.lawweekonline.com/2010/07/howling-pig-lawsuit-may-go-forward-10th-circuit-rules/
Monday, September 6: Labor Day Holiday Friday, September 10: Last day for changing or adding a class |
WEEK 3: SEPTEMBER 13 - SEPTEMBER 19
READING:
Law 101 Chapter 3: First Freedoms - Constitutional Rights The New Clash of Rights http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2010/07/28/counseling
THURSDAY 9/16/10: PRESENTATION CASE STUDIES FOR GROUP RESEARCH ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION & DEBATE: Arizona Immigration Law: latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-arizona-law-qa-20100706,0,6651413.story Health Care Reform: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/obamasdeal/
Friday, September 17: Last day to apply for graduation for December |
WEEK 4: SEPTEMBER 20 - SEPTEMBER 26
READING: Law 101 Chapter 4: Your Day in Court - The Litigation Process
FIELD TRIP: Thurston County Superior or District Court AND/OR VIDEO: 12 Angry Men
ROBERT A. HARVIE SOCIAL JUSTICE LECTURE: Sustainability and Environmental Justice Barry E. Hill, Esq. Senior Counsel for Environmental Governance, Office of International Affairs, USEPA Friday, September 24 (reception and lecture) 4-5 pm
*QUIZ |
WEEK 5: SEPTEMBER 27 - OCTOBER 3
READING: Law 101 Chapter 5: Auto Accidents, Scalding Coffee, and Medical Malpractice: Personal Injuries and Tort Law
VIDEO: The Buffalo Creek Disaster
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WEEK 6: OCTOBER 4 - OCTOBER 10
READING: Law 101 Chapter 5: Auto Accidents, Scalding Coffee, and Medical Malpractice: Personal Injuries and Tort Law
FIELD TRIP: Law Offices of Harold Carr (PI Lawyer) AND/OR VIDEO: John Grisham’s The Rainmaker
*QUIZ |
WEEK 7: OCTOBER 11 - OCTOBER 17
READING: Law 101 Chapter 6: When is a Deal a Deal? Business, Consumers and Contract Law
CASE STUDIES FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION & DEBATE: TBA
Thursday, October 14 – Friday, October 15: Fall Break (no class) |
WEEK 8: OCTOBER 18 - OCTOBER 24
READING: Law 101: Chapter 6: When is a Deal a Deal? Business, Consumers and Contract Law
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21: PRESENTATION OF CASE STUDIES FOR GROUP ASSIGNMENTS/DISCUSSION & DEBATE:
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WEEK 9: OCTOBER 25 - OCTOBER 31
READING: Law 101 Chapter 7: You Are What You Own - The Law of Property
Friday, October 29 – Last day to withdraw from a class |
WEEK 10: NOVEMBER 1 - NOVEMBER 7
READING: Law 101 Chapter 7 You Are What You Own: The Law of Property: You Are What You Own - The Law of Property
*QUIZ
Advising and pre registration for Spring 2010 begins |
WEEK 11: NOVEMBER 8 - NOVEMBER 14
READING: Law 101 Chapter 8: From Insanity to In Cold Blood - Criminal Responsibility & Criminal Law
Thursday, November 11 – Saint Martin’s Day (Holiday) |
WEEK 12: NOVEMBER 15 - NOVEMBER 21
READING: Law 101 Chapter 8: From Insanity to In Cold Blood - Criminal Responsibility & Criminal Law
*QUIZ
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WEEK 13: NOVEMBER 22 - NOVEMBER 28
READING: Law 101 Chapter 9: Protecting the Innocent, Freeing the Guilty - Criminal Procedure
GUEST SPEAKER: Hugh McGavick, Esq. or TBA And/or VIDEO: Gideon’s Trumpet
Thursday, November 25 – Friday November 26 – Thanksgiving recess |
WEEK 14: NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 5
READING: Law 101 Chapter 9: Protecting the Innocent, Freeing the Guilty - Criminal Procedure
*QUIZ
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WEEK 15: DECEMBER 6 - DECEMBER 12
READING: Ethics and excerpts on books regarding “the legal profession”
The Happy Lawyer The (Un)happy Lawyer The Vanishing American Lawyer
GUEST SPEAKER: TBA AND/OR VIDEO: “… And justice for all”
Thursday, December 9 – Last day of classes Friday, December 10 – St. Thomas Aquinas Study Day
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WEEK 16: DECEMBER 13 - DECEMBER 19
Semester Examinations |
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DECEMBER 20: GRADES DUE IN RECORDS OFFICE |
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Syllabus will be
on Moodle - log in here
