CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
SYLLABUS
Section Instructor: Dr. Tom O'Connor or assigned instructor
This is a "master" syllabus and may not be your actual assigned syllabus
Assigned instructors may or may not use this material

COURSE DESIGNATION: CRJ 3000 Constitutional Law (3 semester hours)

COURSE DESCRIPTION AND PREREQUISITES: This course is an intense analysis of federal and state court decisions that interpret the United States Constitution as to the authority and process of criminal justice agencies. Topics include a historical overview, the Bill of Rights, trial and punishment, civil remedies and Constitutional conduct, and Constitutional and civil rights in the workplace. (no prerequisites)

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. To understand key cases, legal terms, clauses, and chronologies in constitutional law
2. To understand constitutional frameworks for criminal justice procedures and policies
3. To examine the historical evolution of constitutional doctrines, standards, and tests
4. To analyze both early and contemporary judicial thinking and legal reasoning
5. To articulate informed opinion over important, controversial, constitutional issues
6. To recognize important considerations dealing with civil rights and liberties 
7. To appreciate the scholarly study of law and its application

GENERAL EDUCATION GOALS:

In addition to the above objectives, the more general goals of this course are to provide the student with the following tools to help develop his or her potential:
1. Development of the student's analytical thinking capabilities through comparison and contrast in the application of theories and concepts to social problems
2. Enhancement of the student's literacy skills through assigned readings, discussions, examinations, and other requirements
3. Utilization of the historical perspective which helps with student understanding of evolutionary developments over time
4. Understanding of the scientific method through research requirements and in-depth case studies
5. Improvement in social interaction skills and understanding human behavior through consideration of the impact legal and social systems have on individuals
6. Increased student awareness of cultural and multi-cultural issues through study of how social problems and social movements are related to, and affect, minority groups
7. Preparation for more advanced study in criminal justice/homeland security

CONTENT OUTLINE:

Week 1: Kanovitz chapter 1, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
1. Guide to Constitutional Structure
1a. Short Annotation of the Bill of Rights
1b. The Supreme Court and How it Works
1c. The Jurisprudence of Constitutional Interpretation
1d. The Concepts of Liberty, Due Process, and Equal Protection

Week 2: Kanovitz chapter 2, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
2. First Amendment Freedom of Speech
2a. Freedom of the Press
2b. Freedom of Religion
2c. The Second Amendment

Week 3: Kanovitz chapters 3-4, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
3. Stop and Frisk
3a. Probable Cause
3b. Search and Seizure
3c. Affidavits and Warrants 

Week 4: Kanovitz chapter 5, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
4. Eavesdropping and Wiretapping
4a. The Right of Privacy and Cyberspace Law

Week 5: Kanovitz chapters 6-7, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
5. Confession and Self-Incrimination
5a. Miranda Law
5b. Double Jeopardy

Week 6: Kanovitz chapter 8, the following Lecture Notes, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
6. Pretrial Procedures
6a. Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel
6b. Other Sixth Amendment Rights

Week 7: Kanovitz chapter 9, the following Lecture Note, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
7. Eighth Amendment Issues

Week 8: Kanovitz chapter 10, the following Lecture Note, and any other material the Instructor assigns.
8. Civil Rights and Remedies

REQUIRED LEARNING RESOURCES:

Main Textbook/Required Textbook: Kanovitz, J. (2012). Constitutional law, 13e. Cincinnati: Anderson Lexis Nexis. This book has the following chapters:
1. History, Structure, and Content of the U.S. Constitution
2. Freedom of Speech
3. Authority to Detain and Arrest: Use of Force
4. Search and Seizure
5. Laws Governing Police Surveillance
6. Interrogations and Confessions
7. Compulsory Self-Incrimination
8. Right to Counsel
9. Trial and Punishment
10. Constitutional Rights and Liabilities in the Workplace

Important Template/Rubric: How to Write a Legal Brief (Other guides: CJED; Appellate Briefs) 

Supplemental Reference: American Psychological Association. (1994). Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 5e. Washington DC: APA. Note: students do not have to buy this book, but should have access to it or something similar in order to utilize the correct style or format with writing assignments.

Additional Learning Resources (Internet Links in lectures and these general resources)
 Constitutional Law: An Overview - well-done page from the Cornell Law School
 FindLaw Constitutional Annotations - resources from FindLaw, a popular legal research site
 Historical Documents - a site with all the important historical documents behind the Constitution
 Con Law Research Page - a good reference page to begin any kind of Constitutional research
 About.com Index to the Constitution - a great site for links to different articles and sections
 The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) - not a bad site for learning about civil liberties
 ConFinder - copies of constitutions from various countries around the world
 Wikipedia - entry portal/article on United States Constitution

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Students are expected to read and follow the schedule in the course syllabus, to read assigned text chapters, to read assigned Lecture Notes, and to seek and read additional suggested resources as provided by the textbook and Instructor.  In addition, students are expected to be alert and attentive with note taking in class and have a demonstrated desire to participate in any discussion.  Exams are to be completed within the deadlines given by the Instructor, and any special instructions for the paper and/or writing assignment(s) are to be followed precisely.  The Instructor will announce all deadlines and instructions as well as provide reminders about the pace or flow of the course.    

BASIS AND METHODS FOR GRADING: (May vary by instructor):

25% Midterm Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
35% Final Examination (objective test with essay questions that may count toward writing)
25% Writing assignments (single or multiple assignments, the equivalent of 8 pages, 1 or more legal briefs)
15% Participation and Discussion (attendance, logins, discussion contributions)

The grade scale used in this course is normally a 7-point scale, as follows, although instructors are free to make adjustments or modifications as circumstances permit.  At times when circumstances permit, the scale may be dropped to a 10-point scale, or slightly more.

A = 93-100
B = 86-92
C = 78-85
D = 70-77
F = 69/below

ATTENDANCE POLICY: An attendance roster is kept (and login records, if this is a web-based course), and students are expected to attend all sessions on time and as scheduled. If a session and/or assignment deadline is to be missed for circumstances beyond the student's control, prior permission of the instructor must be obtained, and arrangements made for submission of the work. Regular late submission of work as well as tardiness and absenteeism will result in reduction of the final grade by at least one letter, depending upon severity. An "Incomplete" can only be given if the student has normally completed at least half the coursework, has a reasonable justification, and makes arrangements with the instructor.

DISABILITY POLICY: Any student who has a disability that may affect his/her academic performance is encouraged to make an appointment with me to discuss this matter, or you may contact Disability Services; telephone 221-6230; voice 221-6278; voice tty.

POLICY ON MINORS: Minors (any non-student under the age of 18) accompanying staff, faculty, students, or visitors on campus are not permitted in the classroom.

ACADEMIC AND CLASSROOM MISCONDUCT: Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately at all times. Academic and classroom misconduct will not be tolerated. Students must read the "Code of Student Conduct" in the new Student Handbook for an understanding of what will be expected of them within the academic setting. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated, and any student found cheating or plagiarizing will receive an "F" for the work in question, and possibly an "F" for the course, and may be recommended for suspension from the University.  Cheating is defined as not working on exams or assignments alone, and plagiarism is defined as taking the work of someone else's as one's own.  APSU uses software that will identify plagiarism.

The above schedule and procedures are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances.

Last updated: Aug. 05, 2012
Not an official webpage of APSU, copyright restrictions apply, see Megalinks in Criminal Justice
O'Connor, T.  (2012). "Constitutional Law Syllabus" MegaLinks in Criminal Justice. Retrieved from http://www.drtomoconnor.com/3000/default.htm.