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This is a hybrid course with class activities taking place in class and online. We will rely on this course outline, e-mail, and other web-based tools to complete this course. All course content can be accessed from this site.

At the completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Define terminology common to the judicial system.
2. Define and explain the concept of political jurisprudence.
3. Describe the forces that affect the U.S. judicial system.
4. Describe the various roles of jurors, judges, and other judicial decisionmakers.
5. Define the range of extra-legal factors active in the judicial process.

Bonsignore, J.J. et al. (2006). Before the Law: An Introduction to the Legal Process, 8e. Houghton Mifflin. ISBN:0-618-50345-5

Ten journal entries will be due on dates listed in the course calendar. Click the Journals link for instructions. Journals are intended to be your own words. Cut-and-paste from web sites is not acceptable.

Each student is expected to submit two 500 word essays on topics agreed upon in advance. These articles must be written in a formal style, similar to that used in research papers, including citations (in APA format) and links to related online material. All plagiarism rules apply. This assignment will also include web publication. Requirements for this assignment will be discussed in class and in the "Web Projects" section of the course outline.

At the end of the course, the sum of your journal entries and essay exams should document your thoughts about "Judicial Decisionmaking" and related issues covered in this course. Gather your graded essays and journals and place them in a folder to be submitted as your final portfolio. This portfolio should also include a final journal entry in which you reflect on the learning in this course. Copies of your Short Essays and each Essay Exam should also be included.

Active Attendance: (up to 10 points will be deducted)

Students are expected to attend each class fully prepared to discuss the reading material assigned for that day. The instructor will call upon different students to share what they have learned from the readings with the rest of the class. Each student is expected to come to class with notes on the themes and main points of each of the readings. Attendance will be taken regularly and will be included in the computation of grades, but remember that the focus is on active participation rather than attendance alone.

This course will be better if you talk more and I talk less. I prefer not to dominate the discussion, so each of you will need to remain active throughout the semester. You all have interesting ideas and viewpoints and we learn more by sharing and trying to understand various views. 

Notice that the score for this item is a negative. A certain level of participation is assumed. That level of participation is expected and not included in the grade. Those that fail to reach that level will lose points.

Deadlines are not suggestions. All written material will rapidly lose points in the days following the due date. Zero points will be awarded for missed assignments.

ADA

Any student with a documented disability needing academic adjustments is requested to speak directly to Disability Support Services and the instructor, as early in the semester (preferably within the first week) as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. Please contact Disability Support Services, DF Lowry Building, 910-521-6695. Please see http://www.uncp.edu/dss/ for more information.

Class withdrawal is your responsibility. If you disappear, we will wonder where you are. However, we will not drop you from the class. Withdrawals should follow University procedure. The student is responsible for obtaining all necessary signatures on drop slips.

A very high price can be paid when you are caught cheating. Too high to risk. All written material must be your own composition. Appropriate credit must be given for sources used in developing your ideas and arguments. Provide appropriate citations. It is easy to see when large sections of text have been lifted from other Web pages. This is quite easy to verify as well.

It is not appropriate to submit work that was originally completed for another course.

NOTE: The penalties for engaging in any of these acts of academic misconduct will be determined on a case-by-case basis, but will follow general university guidelines as to severity.

Classroom climate is not solely the Professor's responsibility. We encourage each of you to engage in conversation on any issue. The University is a place for free speech, limited through individual choice. These choices may be altered with awareness of the real or potential reaction of others. However, you should not be intimidated into keeping quiet. We do not condone racist, sexist, homophobic, or other hateful speech. You are all adults, capable of understanding generally accepted rules of conduct and modifying your behavior in an effort to comply with these social or legal expectations. You are responsible for your behavior.

If grades are made available online, be advised that if there is any error the grade you receive from the registrar is your official grade. Grade changes will be made only in cases of data or computation error. Please do not ask, beg, or otherwise attempt to change a properly computed grade.

Click on the "Calendar,""Journals," and "Web Content" buttons to review the expectations for this class. Assignments and due dates are listed in the calendar page. Be sure you review the entire Outline and Calendar within the first few days of the semester.

This course outline is intended to define much of what will happen throughout this course. Changes are possible. Any changes will be clearly presented to the class and will often include class discussion. Changes will apply to all students enrolled in this course, without regard to whether they were involved in the discussion.