SYLLABUS FOR:
PAL 170
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
Instructor: John A. Plesa
419E – Wheeling Campus
(304)-214-8895 [Office]
jplesa@wvncc.edu
Office Hours: Monday = 2:00-5:30; Tuesday = 3:00-5:30; Wednesday = 4:00-5:30;
Thursday = 2:00-5:30; Friday = [BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 10:00-Noon]
If office hours are postponed or canceled, notification will be posted on office door.
Course description: This course will provide students with an understanding of the formation
of the U.S. Constitution, the powers of the government under the U.S. Constitution and the case
law addressing the powers of government under the U.S. Constitution. This course will also
provide students with an understanding of the rights of the states as well as individuals under the
U.S. Constitution and the case law addressing those rights.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory writing placement test scores or ENG 090, satisfactory reading
placement test scores or READ 095 or permission of program director
Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Credit hours: 3
Lecture hours per week:
3
Expanded description/Course Focus:
Texts: Constitutional Law: Governmental Powers and Individual Freedoms (2nd Edition)
Grades: Will consists of quizzes, homework, tests, mid-term, & final; Class participation will be
used to assess borderline grades.
Grading System: 100%-90% = A 69%-60% = D
89%-80% = B 59%-00% = F
79%-70% = C
Students who have an “A” average at the end of the semester will be excused from the final
examination.
Attendance Policy: Attendance will have a direct bearing on your grade. You will be allowed
three (3) absences for the semester. I will make exceptions for extreme circumstances (e.g. death
in the family). You will drop ½ letter grade for each absence exceeding three (3). Routine doctor
appointments or other appointments do NOT classify as extreme circumstances and instructor
may request/require documentation.
Students who come more than 15 minutes late or leave more than 15 minutes early will be
marked absent.
Chronic absence from class will result in administrative withdrawal. YOU ARE
RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL MATERIALS, TESTS, ASSIGNMENTS, ETC.
THAT YOU MISS!
Assignment Deadlines: The nature of the legal profession requires strict adherence to deadlines
and timetables, therefore, so does this course. Failure to follow and/or meet assignment deadlines
will result in a 50% reduction of the allocated points for that assignment. If an assignment is
more than 48 hours late, you will not receive credit for that assignment.
All assignments are to be transmitted electronically to the e-mail account listed on this syllabus.
With the exception of extreme circumstances (e.g. death in the family) excuses WILL NOT be
tolerated. Routine doctor appointments or other appointments and in most cases computer
“problems” do NOT classify as extreme circumstances and instructor may request/require
documentation.
Classroom Conduct Policy: Students are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous,
responsible, mature manner in the classroom. This includes being prepared for class; informing
the instructor if you are going to miss class; not coming late, leaving during class, or leaving
early without prior notification and for legitimate reasons; not engaging in sidebar conversations
or being otherwise disruptive in class, harassing or distracting other students or the instructor,
making offensive comments, and turning off cellular phones during class.
Academic Honesty Policy: Students are expected to conduct themselves in an adult, ethical,
honest and professional way on assignments, research papers, and exams. Academic dishonesty
includes things like: cheating (this includes helping or being helped on exams or other
assignments that are to be done individually), putting your name on someone else’s work and
turning it in as your own, doing work someone else is supposed to be doing, and plagiarism.
You are responsible for your own work. If an assignment is given and you use an outside source
to complete that assignment, you must cite to that outside source.
Plagiarism and cheating in any form will automatically result in an F (0%) for that
assignment and may result in dismissal from the class, program, and/or the College.
Please note: If you are suspended or expelled from the College for academic dishonesty your
eligibility to receive financial aid from ANY institute of higher education will be
PERMANENTLY affected.
Social Justice Policy: WVNCC does not discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age,
disability, veteran status, color, national origin, religion, or sexual orientation. Any suggestions
as to how to further a positive and open learning environment in this class will be appreciated
and given serious consideration. If you are a person with a physical or psychological disability
and anticipate needing any type of accommodation in order to participate or succeed in this class,
please advise me AND contact the Office of Disability Services in Wheeling.
Emergency Announcement Procedures: WV Northern wants to take a moment to remind you
of safety and emergency procedures that must be followed while at the college. Please look
around this room and identify exit doors in the event of an emergency. Should a fire alarm
sound please exit the building using the nearest door and follow the direction of WVNCC floor
monitors or security/emergency personnel. Should you receive an announcement on this room’s
intercom to lockdown or shelter in place, please turn off all lights and move away from windows
and doors. You must remain at your location until instructed otherwise by security and or
WVNCC personnel.
In the event of a medical or other emergency, call (9)-911, if using a college phone and notify
college personnel of the emergency.
The College also wants to remind you we have a Text Alert system which you can sign up for
free of charge, the link is on your portal account on the left side. We will use this only in
emergency situations (including weather emergencies).
Continuity of Instruction: In the event that class is postponed or canceled, instructor will
inform students via e-mail and signs will be posted. Lecture notes and assignments for cancelled
classes will be sent via e-mail as well as the day/date of the instructors anticipated return.
Outcomes
The student will:
1. Demonstrate knowledge on how the United States Constitution was formed and
ratified.
2. Explain Article 1 of the United States Constitution.
3. Explain Article 2 of the United States Constitution.
4. Explain Article 3 of the United States Constitution.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the Bill of Rights.
6. Explain each amendment in the Bill of Rights.
7. Explain the 14th Amendment
8. Demonstrate knowledge on how to brief case law.
Learning Outcomes:
Students who successfully complete Constitutional Law will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Know how the United States Constitution came to be formed and ratified.
Define Constitutional Law
Explain Article 1 of the United States Constitution
Know the powers of Congress as set forth under the United States Constitution
Explain Article 2 of the United States Constitution
Know the powers of the President as set forth under the United States Constitution
Explain Article 3 of the United States Constitution
Know the powers of the Federal Courts as set forth under the United States
Constitution
9. Define the “commerce clause”
10. Define the “necessary and proper” clause
11. Define “full faith and credit"
12. Explain the significance of Marbury v. Madison
13. Brief United States Supreme Court cases
14. Know the history of the Bill of Rights.
15. Explain the 1st Amendment
16. Explain the 2nd Amendment
17. Explain the 3rd Amendment
18. Explain the 4th Amendment
19. Explain the 5th Amendment
20. Explain the 6th Amendment
21. Explain the 7th Amendment
22. Explain the 8th Amendment
23. Explain the 9th Amendment
24. Explain the 10th Amendment
25. Explain the 14th Amendment and the affect it has on the states.
26. Brief United States Supreme Court cases.