CCJ 4209: Courts and Social Policy T/R 9:30-10:45, Bel 213 Spring 2008 Instructor: Office: Hours: Phone: Email: TA: Marc. G. Gertz, Ph.D. Room 312, Hecht House 7:30-9:15, 11:00-12:15 T 7:30-9:15, 11:00-2:00 R 644-7382
mgertz@mailer.fsu.edu
Thomas Baker Office Hours: William Hauser Office Hours:
trb03c@fsu.edu TBA whauser@fsu.edu TBA
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE: The purpose of this course is to examine the role courts play in determining public policy. Attention will be directed first to establishing a theoretical basis for the intervention of courts into on-going political activities. Second, we will look at the people and groups who try to use the courts to further their goals. Third, we will consider the impact of courts on policy, and problems implementing court decisions. Fourth, we will analyze various policies of interest to criminologists and how these policies have been manipulated by the court system. It is expected that each student will examine numerous court cases in at least one of the policy areas. Several class periods will be devoted to instruction on how to make oral presentations and debating guidelines. There are different techniques for each form of oral presentation. Students will make 3 oral presentations: a personal introduction (5 mins.), a debate (10-15 mins.), and an informative presentation (10-15 mins.). Each student will participate in a debate using persuasive argumentation techniques. Students will be evaluated based on their research, the logic, and clarity of their arguments. In addition, students will be graded on their presentation style, use of the English language, and persuasiveness. COURSE REQUIREMENTS: Personal Introduction Debate: 10 page paper Paper presentation Exam: Class Participation 5% 25% 25% 10% 25% 10%
This course fulfills the University wide oral competency requirement: In order to fulfill FSU’s Oral Communication Competency Requirement, the student must earn a “C-” or better in the course, and in order to receive a “C-” or better in the course, the student must earn at least a
“C-” on the oral communication competency component of the course. If the student does not earn a “C-” or better on the oral communication competency component of the course, the student will not earn an overall grade of “C-” or better in the course, no matter how well the student performs in the remaining portion of the course. There will be 3 different oral presentations during the semester. Required Readings: Abraham, Freedom and the Court Katsh, Taking Sides Legal Issues, 11th edition All reading assignments are required. Students are responsible for all materials, regardless of whether or not readings are discussed in class. Reading assignments should be completed prior to the class date for which they are assigned. Because students may choose their own topics, some readings will not be listed on the syllabus. Students are responsible for finding out the required reading assignments in class or via blackboard at http://campus.fsu.edu.
Academic Honor Code: The Florida State University Honor Code will be adhered to and enforced. Specific honor code violations, both personal and academic, can be found in the Univeristy Bulletin. Violations will be prosecuted. Students with Disabilities: If any member of the class feels that he or she has a disability, please advise the instructor of such disability and desired accommodations by the end of the first week of class or as soon as you have written documentation. The instructor will work with you and the Student Disability Resource Center to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure that you have a fair opportunity to perform in the class. Calendar Week 1 T January 8 R
Intro to Course
January 10 Dr. Gertz lecture Sign up for Personal Introductions Abraham, Introduction and Chapter 2: “The Double Standard”
Week 2 T January 15 Personal Introductions, Preview of debate and paper presentations Abraham, Chapter 3: The Bill of Rights and Its Applicability to the States
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January 17 Dr. Gertz lecture Abraham, Chapter 4: The Fascinating World of “Due Process Law”
Week 3 T January 22 Student Personal Introductions (8) Public Speaking Readings available on Blackboard under Course Library R January 24 Student Personal Introductions (8) Abraham, Chapter 5: The Precious Freedom of Expression Last date to choose your topic for student debates and have it approved by instructor Sign up for debates
Week 4 T January 29 Student Personal Introductions (8) Abraham, Chapter 6: Religion (221-326) R January 31 Lecture personal introductions, public speaking in general, and debates Watch at least two famous speeches; available on Blackboard under Course Library Review citation format for speeches; available on Blackboard under Course Library Review logical fallacies; available on Blackboard under Course Library
Week 5 T February 5 R
Dr. Gertz lecture
February 7 Dr. Gertz lecture Abraham, Chapter 7: Race – The American Dilemma Sign up for student paper presentations
Week 6 T February 12 Student debates Katsh, Issue chosen for student debate R February 14 Student debates (1 debate per class, each w/4 students) Katsh, Issue chosen for student debate
Week 7 T February 19 Student debates Katsch, issue chosen for student debate Abraham, Chapter 8: Gender and Race Under the New Equal Protection Last date to choose your student paper topic and have it approved by instructor R February 21 Dr. Gertz lecture
Week 8 T February 26 Student debates Katsh, Issue chosen for student debate
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February 28 Student debates Katsh, Issue chosen for student debate
Week 9 T March 4 Student debates Katsh, Issue chosen for student debate R March 6 Discussion of debates and lecture on paper presentations Procedure for writing a term paper available on Blackboard under Course Library
March. 8 – 16 Spring Break Week 10 T March 18 R
Dr. Gertz lectures
March 20 Midterm Exam We will not be handing out a list of potential questions prior to the exam There will be a review session in the week prior to the exam, date, time, location TBA
Week 11 T March 25 R
Dr. Gertz lectures
March 27 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation
Week 12 T April 1 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation R April 3 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation
Week 13 T April 8 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation R April 10 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation
Week 14 T April 15 Student paper presentations (4) Katsh, Issue chosen for paper presentation R April 17 Wrap Up
April 21 – 25 Final Examination Week
April 30th Grades Available Online