This is a web-based course in which all class activities take place online. We will rely on this course outline, e-mail, and other web-based tools to complete this course. In addition to this syllabus, much of the content in this course is included in the cjcampus site designed for this course. We wil NOT be using Blackboard for this course.

• cjcampus

An introduction to the development of law and legal systems, the social organization of law, and the functions and roles of law in society, applying cross-cultural and anthropological perspectives. The relationship of values, economy and culture of a society to the laws it adopts.

Readings

Evaluation Criteria

• Journal Entries (40%)
• Online Exams (40%)
• Online Discussions (20%)
• Participation and Engagement (-10)
  
  A = 90% - 100%
  B = 80% - 89.99%
  C = 70% - 79.99%
  D = 60% - 69.99%
  F = 59.99% or below

Ten journal entries will be due on dates listed in the course calendar. Journals are intended to be your own words. Cut-and-paste from web sites is not acceptable. Use this journal to provide comments on the readings, discussions, web sites, and other experiences. The total amount of writing should be 6 to 8 pages for each journal.

After you complete the assigned readings, sit back and think about what it all meant. Once you have an idea of what you want to say, start typing your journal, much of it off the top of your head. Whatever comes to mind. While I expect a certain amount of organization, the journals are not expected to be "term paper quality.

The journals should contain two separate parts:

• First, provide specific comments on readings. Label this section "Reading Content." Provide enough information to demonstrate that you did the required readings, but you should not write more than 4 or 5 pages for this section.
• The second section of your journal should include a 2 to 3 page summary in which you integrate the readings, class discussion, current events, other classes, and any other experiences. This should be labeled the "So What?" section.

My grading criteria is fairly simple. While reading the journals I ask three questions:

1. Did you read it?
2. Did you think about the issues raised in the reading?
3. Did you integrate various issues - are you applying the concepts

Online Exams: (30%)

Four online exams will be posted in the cjcampus online classroom. Each exam includes internet activities that direct you to content that you will review and respond to in writing. These assignments typically include a 200-500 word essay on the assigned topic. Questions typically contain multiple parts. This is not done to make questions more difficult. Multiple parts are recommended to provide guidance that will lead to a high quality answer. Remember to address each section but do not assume that the ideas raised in each section are the only issues to be addressed in your response.

Essays should have sufficient breadth and depth to indicate more than a passing awareness of the issues raised in the questions. Grading will be determined based on the thoroughness of response and the ability to properly apply knowledge gained through reading the text. Essays should be "term paper quality." Pay attention to spelling, sentence and paragraph structure, organization, and citations. Your papers should use APA style , which is described in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th edition, 2001).

Discussions: (30%)

Eight discussion questions will be posted throughout the semester. Instructions are included with the postings. In general, students will be expected to formulate a response to the discussion question and post at least two comments that refer to the responses of other students. Posts must demonstrate your understanding of the readings and/or your analysis of assigned videos or other media content. Posts that are limited to personal opinion are not acceptable.

Participation and Engagement: (up to 10 points will be deducted)

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 course. You all have interesting ideas and viewpoints and we learn more by sharing and trying to understand various views. 

Note that this criteria includes participation and engagement. While we may be able to assess participation through a simple count of posts, we are also interested in active engagement throughout the course. Engagement is demonstrated by remaining active each week, submitting assignments on time, joining discussions at the beginning of each week, and helping each other create a vibrant learning environment.

Course Policies

Learning Strategies

This course has been designed as an "online learning environment." You are all familiar with the dynamic of the classroom - the professor may lecture while students listen and occasionally interact. Most classrooms are designed as "teaching environments." Students may not be an integral part of a teaching environment and in some cases the class could be held even if no students were in attendance.

In contrast, the online learning environment requires student engagement. In fact, the environment fails to function if students are not engaged. As the professor, Dr. Mentor has designed this course and included materials that if consumed, will result in learning. Like the story of "leading a horse to water," this course environment is the water. To make it work, you must each "take a drink."

You are all expected to help each other. Your professor has a great deal of knowledge about the subject matter. Each student in this class also has knowledge that can help us learn. For example, if a student posts a question to the discussion forum we do not need to wait for an "official" response form the professor. Help each other learn as we make our way through the materials.

Deadlines

Class Withdrawal

Academic Misconduct

Classroom Climate

Final Grades

Course Outline and Schedule