NEW COURSE PROPOSAL FORM
PROPOSED BY: DR. AARON HOFFMAN
PROPOSAL DATE: _______________________
I. COURSE INFORMATION
1. Course Title: Civil Liberties
Number: __________________
You may propose a course number on the title line if you wish
Number assigned by Registrar
2. Department of the Course: Political Science
3. Course Level (circle one):
FR (100)
SO (200)
JR (300)
SR (400)
GRAD (500+)
Rationale for Course Level: ________ course is a challenging law school- modeled course that assumes
some basic civics knowledge____________________________________________________
4. Credit Hours: 3
If this course deviates from the standard course schedule and credits (3hrs per week, 14 weeks, 3 credits),
you must provide a rationale.
Rationale for Credit Hours: N/A
5. Prerequisites and/or Restrictions (e.g. majors only), if any: Junior/Senior status or permission of
instructor
6. Describe the method of delivery (e.g. lab, online, etc): Lecture
7. Course Fee, if any: None
Note: course fees are set annually and apply on an academic year cycle beginning in fall.
8. When will this course first be offered? Spring 2013
9. Instructor: Lee Remington Williams
Attach instructor’s CV for first-time, part-time faculty.
10. Frequency (e.g. every spring): Every Spring
11. Typical Section Size (how many students): 30
12. Is it graded on the A-F grading scale, or is it Pass/Fail only? A-F
13. Is the course repeatable as an elective (e.g. is it a topics course)? _______NO____________________
14. If this course can be cross-listed, indicate dept and number of other course: _________NA__
15. Catalog Description: The investigation of how social and political forces play a role in the
development of legal doctrine, focusing on the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments,
including the right to privacy and Equal Protection issues.
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II. RATIONALE, CURRICULAR IMPACT, AND ASSESSMENT
1. Rationale for the introduction of the course: Civil Liberties has been offered in the past with
Constitutional Law as one course. Due to the enormity of the material available in these areas, it is
believed that dividing these courses into separate classes would be beneficial to political science and prelaw students.
2. Procedures used to establish that this course avoids substantial duplication with other courses:
_________ examination of the catalog ____________________________________________________
3. List all departments or programs affected by this addition (include descriptions of communications
with chairs/directors of these depts):
________________NA_______________________________________
4. How will the instructional costs of the course will be covered (Is another course being dropped from
the schedule? Will the course require a new hire? Are student enrollments sufficient throughout this
department’s curriculum to justify the addition of another course?)
Political science has added a new full-time faculty member, justifying the additional courses. In addition,
student enrollments are sufficient throughout this department’s curriculum to justify the addition of
another course.
5. New resources needed (library holdings, technology, equipment, materials, etc): None
6. Does the course fulfill a General Education requirement? _______YES
____X____NO
 If yes, which Gen Ed requirement? __________________________________________________
 Which of the Gen Ed learning objectives does it address? N/A
(Refer to the end of this document for the list of objectives)
7. Can the course fulfill a requirement:
 for the departmental major?
___X____YES ________NO
 for the departmental minor?
___X____YES ________NO
 for requirements in other depts/programs?
_______YES ___X____NO
Include a specific explanation if “yes” for any (e.g. it fulfills an upper-level major elective requirement, or
it is a required course for the minor, or it is required for pre-med, etc): It can fulfill an upper-level major
elective requirement
8. How does this course address the department’s stated learning outcomes? Students will develop an
understanding of American government by learning the intricacies of the American Constitution
and the influence of civil liberties.
9. Does this course address the learning objectives of the QEP? ___X____YES ____NO
If yes, describe how, making reference to the outcomes noted on the last page of this document:
This course will apply a global perspective to analyses of social, economic, political, and environmental
issues by comparing aspects of American Civil Liberties to that of rights in other nations.
Students will also gain an understanding of how American law evolved from the influences of
other nations, as well as how American law has influenced other nations.
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III. REVIEWS AND APPROVALS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Department Action:
_____Approved
_____Not Approved
Department Chair Signature:
_______________________
Date
__________________
Proposal must be reviewed by the Registrar and Library Director before submission to the
College or School (an email can be attached in lieu of these two signatures).
Registrar Reviewed
Library Director Reviewed
Signature/Date:__________________
Signature/Date:__________________
College/School Action:
_____Approved
Dean’s Signature:
_______________________
__________
__________
_____Not Approved
Date
__________________
Faculty Council Coordinating Committee Action:
_____ Forward to Undergraduate/Graduate Ed Affairs as an informational item only.
(circle one)
_____ Forward to Undergraduate/Graduate Ed Affairs as a voting item.
(circle one)
Coordinating Committee Chair Signature: ___________________
Date
___________
As stated in Chapter 2 (University Governance System), all course, program, and curricular issues, having
first been sent to the Faculty Council Coordinating Committee after School approval, will be sent to the
Undergraduate Affairs or Graduate Affairs Committee.
5.
Educational Affairs Committee Action:
_____Approved
_____Not Approved
Signature:
Undergraduate/Graduate Ed Affairs Chair:
OR
____Info Item Only
___________________________
(circle one)
Date of Ed Affairs Committee Action:
___________________________
***Ed Affairs Chair will forward final proposal to the Registrar for permanent archival***
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Civil Liberties Syllabus
Political Science
Instructor:
Lee Remington Williams
Class Time and Location:
Office Hours:
Contact Information:
Course Overview
This is a course on Civil Liberties in the United States. The purpose of this course is to introduce
you to civil liberties and to investigate how social and political forces play a role in the development of
legal doctrine. Specifically, we will primarily focus on the First, Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth
Amendments, including the right to privacy and Equal Protection issues. The class will function much
like a law school course; therefore, it will not be easy. You should walk out of this class knowing how to
brief, read, and understand Supreme Court decisions and have a working knowledge of various aspects of
American Civil Liberties.
In this class, you will be forced to look at issues from both sides and to critically evaluate
political topics from every angle. Accordingly, please remember that this University and this Instructor
will respect the dignity of all and will value differences of opinions among all students. Everyone has the
right to respectfully disagree. Any student who shows his/her unwillingness to respect others will be
referred to higher administrative authorities.
Learning is not a passive process. Students are expected to attend class prepared. In other words,
you will be expected to read the material and be prepared to participate in class discussions. Participation
involves more than merely taking notes. Students are responsible for reading the required material even if
the material is not covered in class. Material from BOTH lectures and readings WILL show up on exams.
Additionally, lectures may cover material that is not found in your texts. Therefore, it is in your best
interest to attend class regularly.
I am always happy to answer any questions you have regarding this material. Though I will be
available by appointment, the BEST way to get in touch with me is by e-mail. I check my e-mail
regularly and will respond to your question(s) as soon as I can. In addition, I am willing to read rough
drafts of any writing assignments and offer suggestions. My job is to teach you and my offerings of
assistance are for your benefit; I strongly suggest you take me up on these offers!
Required Text
1. Epstein, Lee and Thomas G. Walker. 2006. Constitutional Law for a Changing America:
Rights, Liberties, and Justice. Sixth Edition. Washington D.C.: CQ Press.
2. O'Brien, David M. 2003. Lanahan Readings in Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. Second
Edition. Lanahan Publishers.
Full cases and other relevant case information are available on the Epstein and Walker online
case archive. If you have a new copy of Epstein and Walker, the book should include a card with
a registration code to access the archive. Navigate to (http://clca.cqpress.com/) and register.
Exams / Debate / Written Assignment / Panel Participation
Your grade will be based on the following components – two exams, one debate, one written assignment,
and participation in panel discussions. PLEASE NOTE: Cheating and Plagiarism will NOT be tolerated
and will subject you to academic discipline or possible class failure. If you do not understand what these
terms mean, please see me.
 Exams: There will be a total of two exams. These include a midterm exam and the final exam. The
midterm exam will test your knowledge of the material covered either in the texts or in lectures
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

up to the date of the exam; the final exam will test your knowledge from the material covered
after the midterm and will NOT be cumulative. The material on the exams will come from your
texts as well as lectures and class discussions. The exams may consist of multiple choice, short
answer and essay questions. The exams must be taken on the scheduled dates. Make-up exams will
only be allowed for acceptable reasons under the University’s Attendance Policy (see below).
Debate and Written Assignment: Each student must participate in one debate, which will take place
on specified days throughout the course. Each student will sign up for a particular controversial
topic, which are listed in this syllabus. Some students will argue in favor of the issue and others will
argue against the issue. The number of group members will depend on the number of students in the
class. Each person must equally contribute to the final product and each individual will be expected
to turn in an independent written assignment on the day of the debate.
o Any written assignments turned in for this class must conform with any further written
guidelines, as well as be double-spaced, 12-point type, one-inch margins, stapled, and handed
into me at the beginning of class on the date due (hard copy format -- unless I specifically
give you permission to submit the paper electronically). Failure to abide by these
requirements will result in a loss of points. Any written assignments should be written in an
acceptable style with references cited properly (ask the instructor if you are confused by this).
YOU MUST USE AT LEAST THREE DIFFERENT REFERENCES BESIDES YOUR
TEXT. Further, your spelling, grammar AND your arguments will be graded. Late papers
(absent an acceptable university excuse) will be subject to a three-point deduction for
each day late. Plagiarism will result in failure.
o Specific details concerning the debates and the accompanying written assignments, including
grading criteria, will be provided at a later date.
Attendance/Participation: Your participation grade will be determined based upon your performance
on panel discussions. During every class, there will be “panel discussion leaders” (how many leaders
there are will be determined by the number of people in the class.) Each of you will serve on these
panels (also to be determined and you will know beforehand) and you will be in charge of answering
questions from me and the class. Questions will be about the Chapter assigned for that particular day
– with accompanying cases/topics within that chapter. This is as close to a law school experience as I
feel like putting you through; keep in mind that you KNOW when you are going to be called upon, so
PLEASE COME PREPARED!! There should be no excuse for not reading and knowing the cases
assigned!!
o I will NOT take attendance in this course and your grade will not DIRECTLY be affected by
your attendance or your participation. HOWEVER, as college students, you should realize
by now that showing up for class, reading the material, taking notes, participating in class
discussions, and asking me questions will NEVER hurt your grade and can only have a
positive impact. It is up to you as to whether you show up for class or not. DISCLAIMER:
YOU WILL NOT DO WELL IN THIS CLASS IF YOU DO NOT READ THE
MATERIAL AND/OR DO NOT COME TO CLASS. Further, do not even come to class
if you are unprepared. There is nothing more embarrassing than being put on the spot when
you are unprepared.
o Note that for exams and written assignments, you still need a university excused absence in
order to make-up the exam or paper.
o EXCUSED ABSENCES: Detailed explanations of acceptable absences are available at
http://ukcc.uky.edu/~senate/serv.script. In summary, acceptable reasons for missing class are
listed below (USR: 5.2.4.2):
o Student Illness: The student must notify the instructor within a week (seven calendar days)
after the period of illness; verification may be required by the instructor. [USR: V-2.4.2.1].
Written verification is required for this class.
o Serious Illness or Death of a member of the Student’s immediate family: The student must
notify the instructor within a week (seven calendar days) after the funeral or period of illness;
verification may be required by the instructor. [USR: V-2.4.2.1 and V-2.4.2.] Written
verification is required for this class.
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o
o
Official University Trips: Notice must be given to the instructor prior to the event, if feasible,
and if not no later than one week (seven calendar days) after the event. [USR: V-2.4.2.3.]
Written verification is required.
Major Religious Holiday: The student must notify the instructor in writing of anticipated
absences due to their observance of such holidays no later than the last day for adding the
class in the given semester. [USR: V-2.4.2.4.]
Extra Credit: I will provide at least one extra credit opportunity that is open to everyone during this
course. More details concerning the extra credit opportunity will be provided at a later date.
Special Needs
Students with special needs are advised to contact the instructor immediately. Every effort to
accommodate special needs will be made.
General Expectations
I expect all students to behave professionally in this class. I will not tolerate disruptive behavior,
including (but not limited to) reading newspapers, talking during lectures, cell phones or pagers, and
insulting classmates or the instructor. Additionally, I expect all students to attend class prepared and to
show up on time.
Grading
 Midterm Exam
 Debate
 Written Assignment
 Final Exam
 Panel Performance
(Participation)
20 %
20 %
20%
20%
20%
Grading Scale for All Work as well as the Final Course Grade
 89.9 – 100
A
 79.9 – 89.89
B
 69.9 – 79.89
C
 59.9 – 69.89
D
 59.89 and below
E
Course Calendar
This is a tentative course calendar. The instructor may amend the assigned readings with a week’s
notification.
“Text” = Epstein and Walker
“Lan” = Lanahan Readings
DATE
Thursday, June 7
Friday, June 8
Monday, June 11
SUBJECT
Introduction to
Course
How to Brief a Case
and Intro to the
Constitution
READINGS
IMPORTANT INFO.
Text p. 791-800
Seating Chart
Text p. 3-46;
Panel and Debate
Intro to the
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Tuesday, June 12
Constitution (cont.)
Lan p. 60-70
Judicial Review and
Incorporation
Text Ch.2-3; p. 49-92;
Lan p. 31-47
Religion: Exercise
and Establishment
Text Ch.4; p. 95-209;
Lan p. 117-126
Assignments
Wednesday, June 13
Thursday, June 14
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
DEBATE 1: SAMESEX MARRIAGES
Friday, June 15
Monday, June 18
Tuesday, June 19
Wednesday, June 20
Thursday, June 21
Freedom of Speech,
Assembly and
Association
Text Ch.5; p.210-312;
Lan p. 101-113
DEBATE 2: HATE
SPEECH
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
Friday, June 22
Monday, June 25
Tuesday, June 26
Wednesday, June 27
Thursday, June 28
Freedom of the
Press; Obscenity and
Libel
Text Ch.6-7; p.314401
Lan p. 78-88; 96-100
DEBATE 3:
PATRIOT ACT
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
DEBATE 4:
VIRTUAL
PORNOGRAPHY
Friday, June 29
Monday, July 2
Tuesday, July 3
Wednesday, July 4
NO CLASS
Thursday, July 5
MIDTERM EXAM
Friday, July 6
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
Monday, July 9
The Right to Bear
Arms and Right to
Privacy
Text Ch. 8 and 9; p.
402-470;
Lan p. 290-297
Criminal Rights:
Investigations and
Evidence
Text Ch.10; p. 475547;
Lan p. 151-176
DEBATE 5:
ABORTION
Tuesday, July 10
Wednesday, July 11
DEBATE 6:
RACIAL
PROFILING
Thursday, July 12
7
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
Friday, July 13
Monday, July 16
Criminal Rights:
Attorneys, Trials,
and Punishments
Text Ch. 11; p.549613;
Lan p. 198-226; 237241
DEBATE 7:
DEATH PENALTY
Tuesday, July 17
Wednesday, July 18
Thursday, July 19
Civil Rights:
Discrimination
Text Ch. 12; p. 617735;
Lan p. 245-262
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
DEBATE 8:
AFFIRMATIVE
ACTION
Friday, July 20
Monday, July 23
Tuesday, July 24
Wednesday, July 25
Thursday, July 26
Friday, July 27
Civil Rights: Voting
and Representation
Text Ch. 13; p. 738788;
Lan p. 262-280
OPEN DAY /
SPEAKER
DEBATE 9:
IMMIGRATION
Monday, July 30
Tuesday, July 31
Wednesday, August 1
Class Wrap-Up
Thursday, August 2
FINAL EXAM
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