Constitutional Law I, Professor Patricia A. Broussard
Fall 2008
Course Number: 5501
Section 301
Office: 407-254-3293
Email: patricia.broussard@famu.edu
Office Hours: M, T, TH 3 - 6
Constitutional Law is a six credit course taught over two-semesters. There are four
objectives to this course: First, you should develop an understanding of the role of the
judiciary in shaping our society and our system of government. Second, you should
become familiar with the most important principles of constitutional law and the
historical context of the cases you analyze. Third, you should develop the ability to
summarize court cases into concise legal briefs. Fourth, you should develop an ability
to use precedents, logic, and evidence to evaluate Supreme Court decisions and predict
future court decisions. Laptops are not permitted in class.
You must read the New York Times every day before class; also, we may not discuss all
of the cases listed below in class, but you are responsible for reading and briefing
them.
READ THE CONSTITUTION AND FEDERALIST PAPERS NOS. 1 AND 47 FOR
THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS
Three main questions for the first three chapters:
 What is the power being discussed?
 What is the source of that power (e.g. constitution, statute, etc)?
 What are the checks and balances on the power?
WEEK ONE
Chapter One: The Separation of Federal Power
The authority for judicial review -pp. 1-10
1. Marbury v. Madison
2. Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee
3. Cohens v. Virginia
The method of constitutional interpretation -pp. 10-24
4. United States v. Emerson
5. Silveira v. Lockyer
6. District of Columbia v. Heller***
Congressional limits -pp. 24-29
7. Ex parte McCardle
8. United States v. Klein
Property I , Professor Reaves
Text: Singer, Property Law: Rules, Policies and Practices (4th ed)
Assignment: Read pp. xl-ll; 3-14; 76-9
Torts I, Professor Deleso Alford Washington
COURSE NUMBER: 5700
SECTION NUMBER: 304
Classroom: 379
3 Credit Hours
Office Hours and Information
Office:
Room 335B
Telephone:
407-254-3294
Fax:
407-254-2456
Email:
deleso.washington@famu.edu
Class Days:
Mon./Tues./Thurs.
Class Hours:
7:00 pm – 7:50 pm
Office Hours:
4:50 pm – 6:50 pm, Mon./Tues./Thurs.
Required Text:
Victor E. Schwartz, Kathryn Kelly and David F.
Partlett, Prosser, Wade & Schwartz's Torts,
Cases and Materials, 11th ed. (Foundation
Press 2005).
ISBN: 1-58778-874-8
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The history and development of the legal principles underlying noncontractual civil wrongs at common law and under modern statutes
are studied together with an analysis of the responsibility in tort for
wrongs to the person and property. Topics include: intentional acts,
liability without fault, negligence, privacy rights and harm to
reputation.
Tort law basically consists of the rules governing civil suits for injuries
caused by wrongs to others. We will critically analyze competing
policies underlying tort law in order to enhance your doctrinal
knowledge.
TWEN ENROLLMENT:
You must register on TWEN for this class. Course assignments,
notices, schedule changes, etc. will be posted on the TWEN site. It is
the responsibility of each student to regularly check the TWEN site for
any changes/modifications to course specifics.
The address is http://lawschool.westlaw.com/ then follow the link to
TWEN.
At the end of this syllabus you will find the reading assignments for
the first two (2) weeks of class. All subsequent reading assignments
will be posted on the TWEN site.
TORTS I
READING ASSIGNMENTS
WEEK
TOPIC
READING
DEVELOPMENT OF
LIABILITY BASED UPON
FAULT
Chapter 1
One
Pages 1- 16
INTENTIONAL
Chapter 2
INTERFERENCE WITH
PERSON OR PROPERTY Pages 17 – 28 (Intent)
Pages 29 – 36 (Battery)
Pages 37 – 39 (Assault)
Pages 40 – 49 (False
Imprisonment)
Two
INTENTIONAL
INTERFERENCE WITH
PERSON OR
PROPERTY
(CONT’D)
Chapter 2 (cont’d)
Pages 50 – 65
(Intentional Infliction of
Emotional Distress)
Pages 66 – 74 (Trespass
to Land)
Pages 75 – 80 (Trespass
to Chattels)
Pages 81 – 91
(Conversion)