INTRODUCTION TO LAW
POLITICAL SCIENCE 2203
SPRING 2012
Russell C. Lissuzzo II
Office 102K
Law Office:
201 E. 10th Street Plaza
340-5820
e-mail: russ@heartlandtitle.com or rlissuzzoii@uco.edu
Office Hours: I am generally in LA 102K fifteen minutes prior to class and will also be
able to meet you at other times by appointment. The best place to reach me is at my
office (340-5820) or by email at russ@heartlandtitle.com
Course Description: This course is designed to introduce the student to the
American legal system. We will review the historical development of the law, its
constitutional basis, the judicial/court system and several major subject areas.
This class invites discussion of opinions both legal and political. Both of these types of
opinions should be based on some analysis and inquiry into the issue which is the subject
of your opinion.
Text: Introduction to Law and the Legal System Frank A. Schubert, 10th Edition
* Additional outside reading will be assigned from time to time and you will be
responsible for various case studies.
Method of Instruction: Course study will be organized around lecture, case briefing,
class discussion and individual and group problem solving. Students in this course
are expected to be prepared for class by reading the assigned material in
advance and participating in class discussions and case briefs. A portion of your
grade (as set out below) will be the result of your participation in class discussion, case
briefing and problem solving. I do take roll and if you are not present on days quizzes
are given or problems and cases are due, your grade will suffer accordingly as you may
not be entitled to make up missed assignments/briefs/quiz. If you miss class, it is your
responsibility to determine if any problems were assigned and the due date for the
assignments. Assignments are due on the due date and full credit for the assignment
will only be given if it is turned in on time. Assignments turned in one class period after
the due date will receive 50% credit. No credit will be given for assignments turned in
more than one class period late.
Grading Scale:
A=90% B=80% C=70% D=60% 59% and below is Failing.
Examinations/Problems/Cases:
*Taking tests at the scheduled time is recommended. All makeup exams will be
taken on the on the day of the final. You may not makeup more than one exam.
Course grades will be based on tests and presentation of assignments and
problems and cases according to the following schedule:
Tests:
Assignments/Briefs:
approximately 350 points
approximately 150 points
PLAGIARISM: UCO subscribes to the Turnitin.com plagiarism prevention service.
Students agree that by taking this course, all required assignments may be subject
to submission for textual similarity review to Turnitin.com for the detection of
plagiarism. All submitted assignments will be included as source documents in the
Turnitin.com restricted access reference database for the purpose of detecting
plagiarism of such assignments. Use of the Turnitin.com service is subject to the
terms and conditions posted on the Turnitin.com website. Turnitin.com is just one of
various plagiarism prevention tools and methods which may be utilized by your
faculty instructor during the term of the semester. In the UCO Student Handbook,
there is a process for contesting any plagiarism allegations against you.
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL OKLAHOMA
STUDENT INFORMATION SHEET AND SYLLABUS ATTACHMENT
http://w .w.busn.ucok.edu/academicaffairs/FORMS/Student%201nformation%2OSheetSPR
08.pdf
Course Calendar/Study Guide
The following is an outline of the material that I expect to be cover in class. The
schedule is tentative and will depend on the speed in which the materials are
covered. You should be ready for the material as assigned unless we discuss
otherwise.
Chapter I - INTRODUCTION
Lecture and Discussion: What is the Law, Jurisprudence, Origins of Law in the United States,
Procedure, Due Process, Vagueness, Criminal and Civil Law, Equal Protection, and Case
Analysis.
Assignments
Sample Briefing: Video Software v. Arnold Schwarzenager
Brief: Washington et al. v. Glucksberg et al.
Brief: Jason Smith v. State of Idaho
Brief: Katko v. Briney
Brief: Suggs v. Norris
Chapter Questions
Chapter II - Ethics and Law
Lecture and Discussion: Ethics, Law and Morality, Positive Law, Good Samaritan Laws,
Individual Choice, Business Ethics and Professional Ethics
Assignments:
Lifeboat Hypothetical
Brief: Gregg v. Georgia
Brief: State v. Mobley
Brief: Holland v. State of Florida
Brief: Lawrence v. Texas
Brief: Reardon v. Windswept Farms.
Chapter Questions
Chapter IV - Judicial System
Lecture and Discussion: Jurisdiction; Court Systems; Removal; Appeals; Supreme Court
Assignments:
Brief: Cheap Escape Co. Inc. v. Haddox LLC
Brief: Roby v. Hinnens
Brief: Kopp v. Kopp
Brief: Gebbia v Wal-Mart
Brief: Land v. Yamaha Motor Corp.
Chapter Questions
Chapter V - Civil Procedure
Lecture and Discussion: Civil Trial; Pleadings; Service; Motions; Discovery; Trials and Evidence;
Judgment and Execution
Assignments:
Brief: Salmon v. Atkins
Brief: Dorsey v. Gregg
Brief: Clement v. Alegre
Brief: State of Utah v. Timmermann
Brief: Cody v. Atkins
Chapter Questions
Chapter VIII - Criminal Law and Procedure
Lecture and Discussion: Sources of Criminal Law; Components of a criminal offense; Defenses;
Criminal Procedure; Rights of the Accused; Criminal Trial Procedure
Assignments:
Brief: People v. Shaughnessy
Brief: State v Gordon
Brief: Commonwealth v Berggren
Brief: Draper v U.S.
Brief: Dickerson v U.S.
Brief: Herrig v. U.S.
Brief: Illinois v Caballes
Brief: U.S. v. Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez-Lopez
Chapter Questions
Chapter IX - Family Law
Lecture and Discussion: Family Unit; Marriage - Civil and Common law; Same-sex Marriage;
Annulment; Divorce; Child Support; Property Division as it applies in Oklahoma. All materials
will come from lecture, discussion and in-class projects.
Chapter X - Contracts
Lecture and Discussion:
Nature and Classification of Contracts; Agreement; Offer;
Acceptance; Consent- duress, fraud, misrepresentation and fraud; Consideration; Capacity;
Illegality;
Assignments:
Brief Cook's Pest Control v Robert and Margaret Rebar
Brief: Carter v Matthews
Brief: Hanks v. Power Ridge Rest, Corp.
Brief: Carolina Pride Carwash, Inc v Tim Kendrick
Brief: Hinkel v. Sataria
Brief: Macke Company v. Pizza of Gaithersburg
Chapter Questions
Chapter XI - Torts
Lecture and Discussion: Intentional Torts; Negligence; Defenses-Comparative Negligence and
Assumption of the Risk;
Assignments:
Brief: Estate of Berthiaume. v Pratt M.D.
Brief: Mickens v. The Pawn Store
Brief: Wesson v. Wal-Mart
Brief: Mississippi Department of Mental Health v Julia R. Hall
Brief: Gary West v East Tennessee Pioneer Oil Co.
Brief: Atlanta Oculoplastic Surgery v. Nestlehutt
Chapter Questions
Chapter XIV- Alternative Dispute Resolution:
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