Eastern Michigan University – Department of Political Science
PLSC 301 - American Legal System
Instructor: Kathy Peterson, JD, Attorney at Law
Fall Term, 2015
September 8 – December 18, 2015
PLSC 301 Sec. 01/CRN 12935 - Tues. & Thurs. 11:00 - 12:15 – 171 Sci.Comp.
PLSC 301 Sec. 00/CRN 15258 – Tues. & Thurs. 2:00 – 3:15 - 403 Pray-Harrold
E-Mail: “kpeters6@emich.edu”
Office: 601H Pray-Harrold /487-3113
Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays -9:00 – 9:30; 1:30 – 2:00
Required Text:
*Calvi, James V. and Susan Coleman. American Law and Legal Systems
(Current Edition) Pearson Prentice-Hall
Course Description: This course will feature a survey of the various substantive
components of the American legal system and its function in a democratic society.
This course provides an overview of the subjects that are taught in law schools to first
year students. It also provides a basic overview of the American legal system as it
effects citizens in a democratic society. Special emphasis will focus on the substantive
areas of civil law, including: Property Law, Tort Law, Civil Procedure, Contracts and
Family Law. Legal reasoning and a history of the American legal system, including its
English Common Law origin, will also be featured. A basic overview of the United
States Constitution will also be provided, including a segment on the rules of criminal
procedure that are guaranteed by the Constitution.
Grade Requirements: Your final grade will be based a total of 200 points:
3 exams (each 50 points)
Paper* (50 points)
=
=
150 points
50 points
*Your paper will be focused on a topic of your choice - a question that has a legal
answer to it. You will choose a question that you have always wanted to know the
answer to, and research how this question is addressed in the American Legal System.
This paper will be worth a total of 50 points (25% of your final grade in this class).
You will receive 5 points for turning in your question for research by Thursday October
29 , 2015. Your paper topic can be one sentence long, but it must be typed. Another
5 points will be given for your resources cited in your paper. The remaining 40 points
will be awarded based upon the content of your paper and the fact of turning in your
paper on time. This paper should be 8 pages in length, and should cite at least five
resources used. You will lose 2 points for every day that your paper is late after
Tuesday November 24, 2015.
Rules of Classroom Etiquette:
Civility in the classroom is required. Civility means the gracious consideration
of others.
Please do not text during class. Use your laptop for note taking only.
Academic Integrity is required. All students must comply with the Eastern
Michigan University policy on Academic Dishonesty, which may be found at:
“http://www.emich.edu/sjs/violations.html”
***If you miss a class, you must get notes from a fellow student in class. I do not give
copies of my overheads or other work product to any student. *****
If you miss an exam for any reason, there is no exam “make up” day other than the day
of your last exam.
I do not permit any student to take photographs of my work product during class.
Course Schedule and Reading Assignments
Week #1 – 9/8, 9/10
Introduction to PLSC 301
Review of Syllabus
Legal Reasoning
What is the Law?
Week #2 – 9/15, 9/17
History and the Law
Common Law
Property Law
Week #3 – 9/22, 9/24
Property Law
Calvi, Chap. 12
Week #4 – 9/29, 10/1
Property Law
Calvi, Chap. 12
Week #5 – 10/6, 10/8
Family Law
Calvi Chap. 13
Week #6 – 10/13, 10/15
Family Law
Calvi, Chap. 13
Week #7 – 10/20, 10/22
Family Law
Thursday 10/22 – Exam #1
Calvi, Chap. 13
Week #8 – 10/27, 10/29
Tort Law
Thursday 10/29 – Paper Topic Due
Calvi, Chap. 10
Week #9 – 11/3, 11/5
Tort Law
Calvi, Chap. 10
Week #10 – 11/10, 11/12
Tort Law
Calvi, Chap. 10
Week #11 – 11/17, 11/19
Tuesday 11/17 – Exam #2
The United States Constitution: Supreme Law of the Land
The Rule of Law
Due Process of Law
Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence
Calvi, Chap. 6
U.S. Constitution
Calvi, Chap. 4
Week #12 – 11/24
Civil Procedure and Rules of Evidence
Tuesday 11/24 – Paper Due
Thursday 11/26 – NO CLASSES – Thanksgiving Recess
Week #13 – 12/1, 12/3
Contract Law
Calvi, Chap. 11
Week #14 – 12/8, 12/10
Contract Law
Calvi, Chap. 11
Week #15
Final Exams – 12/15 – 12/18
Exam #3
PLSC 301/Sec. 01 – Thursday 12/17 – 9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
PLSC 301/Sec. 00 – Tuesday 12/15 – 1:30 – 3:00 p.m.