SOC205 PAPER

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SOC205_STUDENT_GUIDE-1.docx

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SOC 205 – Society, Law, and Government

(Prerequisite: CRJ 100)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the function of the American court system in its operational role within the government, the rule of law, and society. The criminal court process and the role of the judiciary are explained from a policy-making perspective that reveals the impact of the courts on society and the rule of law in the evolution of social change.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Carp, R. A., Stidham, R., & Manning, K. L. (2017). Judicial process in America (10th ed.).

Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.

Supplemental Resources

Baum, L., & White, J. B. (2006). Judges & Their Audiences: A Perspective on Judicial Behavior. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

O’Brian, D. A. (2008). Storm Center: The Supreme Court in American Politics (8th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Explain the rule of law in the American court system and in the judicial process.

2. Examine the organizational frameworks and decision-making environment in the judicial process.

3. Detail the history and organization of the levels of the American court system and the issue of jurisdictional boundaries.

4. Examine policy relationships between the branches of government and the citizenry.

5. Examine the current ethical issues inherent throughout the criminal and civil justice systems.

6. Explain the procedures prior and during criminal trial.

7. Describe the dispensation of justice through the criminal and civil justice systems.

8. Analyze judicial decision making and the impact of these decisions on law, precedent, and social policy.

9. Use technology and information resources to research issues in the criminal court and the judicial process in America.

10. Write clearly and concisely about the American court system using proper writing mechanics and Strayer Writing Style.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.

Week

Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation

Points

Preparation

· Reading

· Chapter 1: Foundations of Law in the United States

· e-Activity

· Read the article, “The Role and Functions of Law in Business and Society” located in the online course shell. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· None

Preparation

· Readings

· Chapter 2: The Federal Judicial System

· Chapter 3: State Judicial Systems

· Chapter 4: Jurisdiction and Policymaking Boundaries

· e-Activity

· Go to the Federal Judicial Center Website, located at http://www.fjc.gov/federal/courts.nsf/, and read “What the Federal Courts Do: How is a federal court different from a state court?” Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Quiz 1: Chapters 1-4

Preparation

· Readings

· Chapter 5: State Judges

· Chapter 6: Federal Judges

· e-Activity

· Using the Internet, go to the court system Websites of three (3) different states (your state included), and review the qualification, selection, and removal process for judges in each state. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Case Study 1: Understanding the Court System

200

Preparation

· Readings

· Chapter 7: Policy Links between the Citizenry, the President, and the Federal Judiciary

· Chapter 8: Lawyers, Litigants, and Interest Groups in the Judicial Process

· e-Activities

· Go to the Globe Business Publishing’s Lexology Website and read, “The Supreme Court’s DOMA decision: impact of the changing definition of ‘spouse’ on employee benefits” located at http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=37e2274f-9440-40de-994b-c8777d8c05f3. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Quiz 2: Chapters 5-8

Preparation

· Reading

· None

· e-Activities

· Watch the video, “Legal vs. Moral Guilt: Frustrations Highlighted by Juror B29”, located at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/george-zimmerman-juror-29-interview-gma-frustrations-highlighted-19779656. Be prepared to discuss.

· Watch the video, “Zimmerman Juror: 'My First Vote Was Second-Degree Murder’”, located at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/george-zimmerman-juror-29-interview-gma-vote-degree-19779607. Be prepared to discuss.

· Read the article, “Texas voter ID law violates Voting Rights Act, court rules”, located at http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-voter-id-law-violates-voting-rights-act-court-rules/278074827. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Assignment 1: The State Judicial Selection Process

200

Preparation

· Readings

· Chapter 9: Crime and Procedures Prior to Criminal Trial

· Chapter 10: The Criminal Trial and Its Aftermath

· Chapter 11: The Civil Court Process

· e-Activity

· Go to the ESPN College Football Website and read the article titled, “Jerry Sandusky wants new trial”, located at http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8521309/jerry-sandusky-asks-judge-overturn-abuse-convictions-wants-new-trial. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Quiz 3: Chapters 9-11

Preparation

· Reading

· Chapter 12: Decision Making by Trial Court Judges

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· None

Preparation

· Readings

· Chapter 13: Decision Making in Collegial Courts

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· None

Preparation

· Reading

· Chapter 14: Implementation and Impact of Judicial Policies

· e-Activity

· Review the article titled, “Judicial Review”, located at https://nationalparalegal.edu/JudicialReview.aspx. Be prepared to discuss.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Case Study 2: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

200

Preparation

· Reading

· Chapter 15: Policymaking by American Judges: A Synthesis

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· None

Preparation

· Reading

· None

· e-Activity

· Review the article “Second Amendment does not apply to assault weapons: en banc 4th Circuit” at http://www.reuters.com/article/us-otc-guns-idUSKBN1612PU.

Activities

· Discussion

Evaluation

· Quiz 4: Chapters 12-15

GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE

Assignment	Total Points	% of Grade
Quizzes (open book with a three-hour time limit) (4 quizzes of up to 50 questions each)	200	20%
Assignment 1: The State Judicial Selection Process	200	20%
Case Study 1: Understanding the Court System	200	20%
Case Study 2: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag	200	20%
Participation (10 discussions worth 20 points apiece) Note: Week 11 discussions are not graded.	200	20%
Total	1,000	100%

Points	Percentage	Grade
900 – 1,000	90% – 100%	A
800 – 899	80% – 89%	B
700 – 799	70% – 79%	C
600 – 699	60% – 69%	D
Below 600	Below 60%	F

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SOC 205 STUDENT GUIDE 1174 (3-15-2017) Page 2 of 5