Learning is not just a cognitive process; the development of thinking is a social endeavor. We must connect with other learners to think through and deepen our understanding of ideas. The first step to connecting with each other begins with this activity: an introduction of yourself.
Please introduce yourself, touching on all of the following points:
What are your particular interests in studying law (sport and entertainment)? Is law school in your future (Yes)?
Your name, major, where you call home (Name: Lyn, Major: Individualized Study, Hometown: Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Maryland)
Ask any questions you might have about this Orientation or the course (This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts of American legal systems through lectures, guest speakers, practical experiential exercises, and frequent class visitors (from courts, law firms, federal agencies, and law schools). The course is presented in four modules: Civil Rights and Wrongs; Court Systems and Cases; Contracts in American Life; and Property Rights: Tangible, Immoveable, and Intellectual. Within these four modules we will focus on case law development, understanding fundamental legal process, legal writing, and observing law and legal systems in action.
This is a course that is designed for experiential learning, and we will create opportunities to observe and engage in various aspects of U.S. Law).
COURSE READINGS
We will work out of Introduction to Law (6th Edition), by J.B. Hames and Y. Ekern.
COURSE SCHEDULE
This course begins with an Orientation and is divided into four modules. Below is an outline describing the course structure. Each Module will be released a week before the Module begins on the concluding Monday of the prior Module by 11:59 pm (ET). Students are required to move through each module in sequential order.
ORIENTATION: Our first class: August 25, 2021
The orientation provides an overview of the course and introduces you to your instructor and classmates. You will also learn about the technology requirements and where to get support.
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MODULE 1:
August 30, 2021 to September 20, 2021 Civil Rights and Wrongs
This module will focus on torts, common law traditions, and how civil disputes are resolved. We will examine what a tort is, how torts are understood by lawyers, and how our Common Law civil traditions are infused in our system of laws. We will discuss the importance of legal research, visit with the GULC law librarian, and locate cases for class discussion.
Students will undertake a tort case assignment project that will be discussed and presented in class.
We will plan a visit with a leading civil rights attorney. We will plan to sit in on a first-year law school torts class.
Class #1: Monday August 25, 2021
Introduction to U.S. Law Course
Objectives of the course: experiential learning
The US Court System: Federal, State
Civil vs Criminal Law
The US Legal Profession
The Principles of Tort Law, Contract Law, and Property Law The Life of a Civil Court Case
Alternate Dispute Resolution
Following class: Read Chapters 1 and 2
Engagement in Week #1: Watch two Law School videos
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Class #2: Monday August 30, 2021
Introduction to Torts Intentional Torts
Negligence: The Reasonable Person Standard
The distinction between criminal law and civil law
Intentional torts.
Assault and battery, like ham and eggs. Discuss and Brief Koffman v. Garnett, page 172 False Imprisonment/Arrest. Discuss and Brief “Sue’s case,” page 174.
Defamation in the press. Discuss and Brief New York Times v. Sullivan, page 176, and
Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, page 180
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. Discuss and Brief Catsouras v. CHP, page 180
Class visitor: tbd
Reading assignments for this class:
Chapter 7, pages 169-185 (Tort Law – Intentional Torts)
Following class: Read Chapter 3 (Courts and Legal Personnel) Engagement: Watch one Law School video: tbd
Project Assignments: Team case presentations.
Class #3: Monday September 13, 2021 Negligence Torts
Elements of negligence, page 186
Discuss and Brief Palgraf v. Long Island Railroad Co., page 188 Discuss and Brief Baum v. New York Railroad, page 193
Class visitor: tbd
Reading assignment for this class: Chapter 7, pages 185-195 (Tort Law – Negligence Torts)
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Class #4: Monday September 20, 2021
Strict Liability torts (Danger!) Review of Tort case defenses Damages for torts
Discuss and Brief Burnett v. National Inquirer, page 197
Discuss and Brief civil rights case Plumhoff v. Rickard, page 203
Class visitor: Civil rights litigator.
Tort case presentation by class members.
Reading assignment for this class: Chapter 7, pages 195-206 (Tort Law – Negligence Topics)
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MODULE 2:
September 27, 2021 to October 25, 2021
Legal Cases in Action
In this module students will consider the life stages of a legal case from Complaint to resolution. We will examine the basic rules of civil procedure and delve into persuasive legal writing as an art form. We will look at federal and state court systems. We will also consider the roles of arbitration and mediation in case resolution.
Project (to be confirmed): students will prepare a hypothetical mediation case and practice presenting it.
We will plan a visit with a leading litigation law firm attorney, a Federal District Court judge, and a DC Superior Court judge, and meet with litigators specializing in civil and employment cases.
For details of each of the classes in Module 2, please click on the “Modules” section of this course on Canvas where you will find individual class plans and reading assignments.
Contracts in American Life
In this module we will focus on the role of contracts in modern American life, from commercial agreements to the contractual obligations and rights of consumers. We will study how contracts are formed, interpreted, and how they are enforced.
Students will undertake a contract case assignment project that will be discussed and presented in class.
We will plan a visit with a leading contract attorney.
We will plan to sit in on a first-year law school contracts class.
For details of each of the classes in Module 3, please click on the “Modules” section of this course on Canvas where you will find individual class plans and reading assignments.
Property Rights: Tangible, Immoveable, and Intellectual
This Module IV will examine the legal relationships in American law between individuals, legal entities and various kinds of property. What does it mean that an individual “owns” a house? How is that different from saying that we “own” a wristwatch? And how does a company or an
MODULE 3:
November 1, 2021 to November 15, 2021
MODULE 4:
November 22, 2021
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individual “own” a piece of intangible, intellectual property, like a trademark? Or a piece of intellectual property like a copyright?
Students will undertake a research and reporting project for one of the three types of intellectual property (trademark, copyright, or patent).
We will visit with a leading IP attorney.
We will discuss the many careers and paths taken within the legal profession.
We will discuss law school and the law school admissions process.
Anticipating the LSAT.
For details of each of the classes in Module 4, please click on the “Modules” section of this course on Canvas where you will find individual class plans and reading assignments.
INFORMATION ABOUT TOOLS AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
As a Fall 2021 student your classroom experience is planned to be in-person, but the direction taken by the COVID-19 pandemic may change during the semester. History has taught us to be flexible and light on our feet. Please be prepared to:
● Communicate with your professor and classmates regularly via email, discussion boards, and other technologies available.
● Navigate the internet using a web browser (note that certain tools may require a specific browser).
● Use applications such as Microsoft Office or Google Docs to create documents and work on projects.
● Submit assignments in Canvas.
● Upload and download saved files (including text, audio, and video).
● Use a microphone to record audio.
● Use a webcam to record video.
In this course we will use the following tools:
● Zoom for simulate court presentations; YouTube video assignments
Computer Requirements
● If any aspect of our course occurs online, you will need access to a computer (Windows or Mac) and adequate Internet service to complete this course. Although you can use other devices such as smartphones and tablets for some online coursework, please note that some tools, such as Proctorio, do not work on tablets or smartphones.
● You will also need an internal or external microphone and camera to complete this course. While you can use any browser to access Canvas please note that some tools only work with certain browsers (e.g., Proctorio only works with Chrome).
The minimum requirements needed to use Canvas can be found in this Canvas guide.
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COURSE POLICIES AND EXPECTATIONS
Student Expectations
You are expected to complete all readings, assignments, and activities on time. As US Law: Practice & Theory is designed to focus on experiential learning, participation is essential to your success in this class. You are expected to actively participate in discussions with your peers, and contribute to the group assignments. It is important to subscribe to the course discussion boards so that you receive notifications when new messages are posted. In order to get full credit for participation, you will have to complete all of your module assignments and quizzes on time.
Time Expectations
Our online classes are designed to meet the same academic standards as our place-based (face- to-face) courses. You can think of each module equal to the same level of participation, commitment, and academic rigor as a face-to-face class. Students should plan on spending approximately 8 to 11 hours per week on the work for each online module.
Give one example of any of the following:
your own tips for taking an online course
one of your reasons for taking this course
why this course is important to you
what you love about Princeton University
