POLS 3100 - Constitutional Law

Description

Offers a comprehensive study of American constitutional law focusing on civil rights, civil liberties, and equal protection. Constitutional claims examined include the denial of freedoms under the Bill of Rights, the equal protection of laws under the 14th Amendment, and civil rights legislation enacted by Congress since the Civil War. The course will also focus on the application and interpretation of the constitutional protections by the American courts.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

Demonstrate the ability to think critically on issues involving criminal procedure, analyzing and interpreting situations, events, practices and cases;
Demonstrate competence in written communication on issues involving criminal procedure producing well-organized writing that meets conventional standards of correctness, exhibits appropriate style and awareness of audience, and presents substantial material;
Demonstrate the ability to use research and technology effectively in communication and scholarship on issues involving criminal procedure.

Course Structure

Module 1: Understanding the Supreme Court
Module 2: Judicial Power: Challenges & Constraints
Module 3: The Role of Legal Methods: Constitutional Interpretation
Module 4: The Role of Legal Methods: The Role of Politics
Module 5: Freedom of Speech: Developing Legal Standards
Module 6: Freedom of Speech: Tests & Examples
Module 7: Freedom of Speech: The Boundaries of Expression
Module 8: Freedom of Speech: The First Amendment & the Internet
Module 9: Civil Rights: Racial Discrimination
Module 10: Civil Rights: Gender-based Discrimination

Credit Hours

Criminal Justice

Prerequisites

POLS 1101