SYLLABUS: Reading assignments are from AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW unless otherwise specified. Problems are found on the Internet via my web pages or in the "Basic files" which can be accessed from my web pages at the following address: http://faculty.pnc.edu/bbk/basicfiles.htm. The areas of law listed below will be covered in the sequence in which they appear below unless you are notified to the contrary.
NOTE: The assignments listed below represent the maximum and not necessarily the exact assignments to be given. All of the reading will be required. However, some or all of the problems and Mock Projects may not be assigned. You will be informed of changes on a case by case basis.
Mock problems can be found via the links below. They can also be found on the Internet at http://faculty.pnc.edu/bbk/syllabus-cl.htm.
RESEARCH PAPER: This course will require a research paper. Topics must be cleared with the instructor before substantial research has been undertaken. As the instructor presents material, he will note possible research topics. A powerpoint presentation based upon the paper will be required to accompany the paper. The powerpoints will begin several weeks before the end of the semester even if you have not finished your paper by then.
The paper should be between 7 to 10 pages, properly footnoted, with at least 10 scholarly resources listed. Chicago style sheet is required. It can be found at http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html. There are several other sites for the Chicago Manual of Style on the Internet. See also "Elements of Style," which can be found at http://orwell.ru/library/others/style/index.htm for help with writing.
Wikipedia is NOT a scholarly resource. However, Wikipedia can lead you to scholarly resources and may or may not provide you with a foundation to begin your research (depending upon the accuracy of the entry you review). Wikipedia
also can provide good public domain images that you can use in your powerpoint presentations. Be sure to verify that the images you use are in the public domain before you use them.
How and when we do the PowerPoint presentations will be discussed in class. No PowerPoint presentation will be due prior to the first discussion scheduled for September 27.
DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION: If you have a disability that requires accommodation, please let me know privately after class. PNC has an officer who can assist you in securing a necessary accommodation. This instructor will also assist you in securing whatever accommodation is determined to be necessary by that officer.
August 28 No class
September 4 Orientation and Introduction – A Political Supreme Court
September 11 Chapter 2 - The Constitution, the Supreme Court and Judicial Review
September 18 Chapter 5 - The Electoral Process
September 25 Flexible Week
October 2 Chapter 6 - The Commerce Clause
Discussion
concerning papers / powerpoints
October 9 Chapter 6 - The Commerce Clause, continued
Midterm Exam - Online
October 11 Chapter 16 - Property Rights and the Development of Due Process
Midterm Exam – Due before class
October 23 Chapter 9 - Nationalization of the Bill of Rights
October 30 Chapter 11 - Freedom of Expression
November 6 Chapter 12 - Religious Liberty
November 13 Chapter 13 – Privacy
November 20 Powerpoint
presentations
November 27 Thanksgiving
December 4 Powerpoint presentations and
ALL
PAPERS ARE DUE
December 11 COMPREHENSIVE FINAL EXAM
Time constraints may require us to reduce the total number of chapters covered for the semester. It is the instructor's belief that it is more important for students to understand the concepts and the reasoning that led to them than it is to memorize a lot of facts to pour out on a test, never to be revisited again. If we have to adjust, I will announce the revisions in class before students begin reading for that week.