Law & Society Alan S. Nemeth GVPT331 [email protected] MW.... 2:00 – 2:50 PM 1140 D Tydings Hall P) 301-405-2817 Shoemaker 2102 Office Hours: MW…. 12:30 – 1:30 PM Teaching Assistants: Seth Abrams [email protected] 5119 Tydings Hall Discussion sections: Friday @ 12:00, 1:00, & 2:00 Office Hours: Wednesday, 3-5 Emil Dzhuraev [email protected] 5119 Tydings Hall Discussion sections: Thursday @ 2:00 and 3:30, Friday @ 9:00 Office Hours: TBD As the course catalog says, this class will be a study of the basis of law and its relationship with various contemporary institutions such as the courts, the legal profession, and society at large. We will review a variety of cases and topics in the law. We will also bring current events and legal issues in the news into our review of law and society. Therefore, it would be good for you to watch the news in whatever medium you prefer – TV, radio, internet, etc. As we review the cases, the legal concepts, and current events, we will discuss the effects on society of that particular aspect of the law and how society views those issues. The midterm will account for 30% of your grade, the final will account for the final 30% of your grade, a group project will account for 30% of your grade, and class participation will account for 10% of your grade. Class participation will be graded as follows: 13 to 14 (missed none or a single discussion): 90 11 to 12 (missed two or three): 80 8 to 10 (missed four to six): 70 7 or below (missed 7 or more): 60 An additional 10 points for class participation are available and will be awarded on a sliding scale for your active engagement in class discussion. So, for example, if a student missed discussion four times but actively engaged in class discussion when s/he was present, s/he would receive an 80 (70 for attendance plus 10 for active engagement). If that same student participated in class on a lesser basis, perhaps that student would receive five additional points for a total of 75. Your TAs will give you a better idea of what they’ll be looking for concerning class participation. The plus/minus grading system will be used: 90-92 A-, 93-97 A, 98+ A+ 80-82 B-, 83-87 B, 88-89 B+ 70-72 C-, 73-77 C, 78-79 C+ 60-62 D-, 63-67 D, 68-69 D+ Book: Introduction to American Law By: McAlinn, Rosen, SternJanuary 26 Introduction Basic Principles of American Law Read Chapter 1 28 The Jury System Read Chapter 2 February 2 The Legal Profession Read Chapter 3 Alton Logan’s Story http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/06/60minutes/main3914719.shtml 4 Constitutional Law: Individual Rights Read Chapter 4 Lemon v. Kurtzman http://www.oyez.org/cases/1970-1979/1970/1970_89/ District of Columbia v. Heller http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2007/2007_07_290/ 9 Constitutional Law: Individual Rights Read Chapter 4 11 Constitutional Law: Individual Rights Read Chapter 4 16 Civil Procedure and the Federal Courts Read Chapter 5 18 Civil Procedure and the Federal Courts Read Chapter 5 23 Contracts Read Chapter 6 25 Contracts Read Chapter 6 March 2 Tort and Product Liability Read Chapter 7 4 Tort and Product Liability Read Chapter 7 9 Review Class Email questions to me or TAs 11 Midterm 16 Spring Break 18 Spring Break 23 Property/Wills & Trusts Read Chapter 8 Shelley v. Kraemer http://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1949/1947/1947_72/ Kelo v. City of New London http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2004/2004_04_108/ 25 Property/Wills & Trusts Read Chapter 8 30 Property/Wills & Trusts Read Chapter 8 Review: http://www.abanet.org/rpte/public/home.htmlApril 1 Intellectual Property Read Chapter 9 Handout Group Project Assignment 6 Intellectual Property Read Chapter 9 http://mlis.state.md.us/asp/web_statutes.asp?gcl&11-1201 Maryland Trade Secret Definition -- See section (e). 8 Business Law Read Chapter 11 13 Business Law Read Chapter 11 15 Marriage and the Family Read Chapter 12 20 Marriage and the Family Read Chapter 12 22 Administrative Law Read Chapter 13 Take a look at the Federal Register www.gpoaccess.gov/fr 27 Administrative Law Read Chapter 13 29 Criminal Law and Procedure Read Chapter 10 May 4 Criminal Law and Procedure Read Chapter 10 6 TBD 11 TBD 14 - 21 Finals