Course Syllabus
Syllabus for
The U.S. Supreme Court
(3 cr)
Instructor Contact Info
Kimberly Porter
E-Mail through Canvas or NMSU is the best way to contact me and get answers to your questions. I will check Canvas Monday through Friday and will respond to emails within 48 hours. I will not be available over the weekends unless it’s an emergency or a matter of critical importance in which case you can call and leave me a message at home, 575-200-9900. I will also be signed into Skype whenever I am on the computer, so you may also contact me through Skype if you see me online. As for grade postings and feedbacks on all work, you will receive your grade and feedback within one week of your submission of the assignment, discussion, and quiz. Please see the Assessment section of the syllabus for more information on grades.
My Email: kimmykow@nmsu.edu
My Skype Contact: kimmykow.porter
Course Overview
This course will provide an overview of the U.S. Supreme Court. We will begin by looking at a brief history of the U.S. Supreme Court. Next we will study some of the individual Justices of the Court. We will then look at how the Court works through the text, The Brethren and finish off by reading a few U.S. Supreme Court decisions. This course will allow you to have an understanding on how the Supreme Court’s inner workings are constructed, as well as, important information on the Justices themselves and their opinions on historical cases.
This is a five-week, 100% online course. It is organized into weeks and each week you will have a module to complete. Each module consists of assignments, discussions, and quizzes. You will have an Expert Paper due at the end of the course during Module 4 (more instructions will be given under the written papers section of the syllabus). Students are expected to complete the assignments within each module during the assigned week per the schedule. This is not a self-paced course, and each student is responsible for completing all of their work by the deadlines provided in the schedule. I am here to help in any way possible so please contact me by email or Skype if you have any questions or need help with the coursework.
Required Reading
The Brethren - Inside the Supreme Court by Bob Woodward and Scott Armstrong. (Make sure it is not the book by John Grisham)
(This is not a “text book” and can be obtained at any reputable book store)
Course Prerequisites
- You must successful complete “Intro to Criminal Justice” before you can take this class
- You must have access to Microsoft word and PowerPoint, as well as, be able to use the software appropriately.
Technical Support- http://ict.nmsu.edu/help.html
If you are in need of technical support please contact the ICT Help Desk at: (575)646-1840 or email help@nmsu.edu.
Netiquette & Discussion Expectations
Because this is an on line course our only form of attendance will be through the discussion board. Each week ALL students will post at least ONE original post and TWO responses to the post of another student. (Although more responses are encouraged). Comments are to be civilized – debate and disagreement is encouraged but students will respect the views and opinions of their fellow classmates in accordance with the first amendment freedom of speech, and your responses shall conform to principles of decency.
Course Objectives and Assignments
Objectives:
1. Explain the formation and history of the U.S. Supreme Court.
2. Demonstrate understanding of the structure and processes of the US Supreme Court system.
3. Explain in detail some of the U.S. Supreme Court Justices.
4. Interpret some of the opinions of the U.S. Supreme Court
5. Explain the ‘final’ appellate court.
6. Demonstrate understanding of the structure and process of a different country’s Supreme Court system.
Assignments:
Weekly Discussions: Each week students will participate in discussions based on the week’s readings and assignments, in which they will follow the instructions in the discussion board. Each discussion will be worth 10 points unless notified otherwise. These weekly postings and responses will be due on Sunday by 11:59 p.m.
All Students must also respond to at least two of their classmate’s original post. (See attendance/discussion above)
- Written Papers: There will be one major written paper in this class. Each student is responsible for writing an Expert Paper that is due at the end of the semester during Module 4. The Instructions will be found in the assignment tab or in Module 4. This written assignment will be worth 200 points.
Paper requirements:
- You are expected to use proper in text citations and have a bibliography for your papers.
- All papers to be submitted in Microsoft Word format.
- All papers to be typed double spaced in 12 point font.
Assessment
Grading Scale:
|
Modules |
Pts |
Percent Grade |
|
Getting Started |
50 |
10% |
|
Module 1 |
50 |
10% |
|
Module 2 |
50 |
10% |
|
Module 3 |
50 |
10% |
|
Module 4 |
400 |
60% |
|
Total Points |
600 |
100% |
|
Assignments |
Points |
No. |
Total Points |
Percent Grade |
|
Discussions |
10-30 |
5 |
70 |
12% |
|
Activity/Assignment |
20-40 |
4 |
100 |
17% |
|
Quizzes |
10-20 |
2 |
30 |
5% |
|
Expert Paper |
200 |
1 |
200 |
33% |
|
Peer Review |
200 |
1 |
200 |
33 % |
|
Total Points |
Letter Grade |
|
600-540 |
A+ to A- |
|
539-480 |
B+ to B- |
|
479-420 |
C+ to C- |
|
419-360 |
D+ to D- |
|
359-0 |
F |
You will receive your grade and feedback within one week of your submission of an assignment, discussion, and quiz. If you have any questions concerning your grade and/or feedback you may contact me by email or Skype.
Late Assignment Policy
There will be a one week late policy which students are able to turn their assignments in no later than one week after the deadline. If an assignment is turned in after the deadline you will automatically receive a 10% reduction of you grade on that assignment. Anything submitted later than one week after the deadline will receive a Zero. If you have an emergency, catastrophe, or other major problem contact me ASAP.
Plagiarism
All students will be deemed to be familiar with the definition of plagiarism, both intentional and unintentional, as defined at the following NMSU web site: http://lib.nmsu.edu/plagiarism
Plagiarism is using another person’s work without acknowledgment, making it appear to be one’s own. Any ideas, words, pictures, or other source must be acknowledged in a citation that gives credit to the source. This is true no matter where the material comes from, including the internet, other student’s work, unpublished materials, or oral sources. Intentional and unintentional instances of plagiarism are considered instances of academic misconduct. It is the responsibility of the student submitting the work in question to know, understand, and comply with this policy. If no citation is given, then borrowing any of the following would be an example of plagiarism:
- An idea or opinion, even when put into one’s own words (paraphrase)
- A few well-said words, if these are a unique insight
- Many words, even if one changes most of them
- Materials assembled by others, for instance quotes or a bibliography
- An argument
- A pattern or idea
- Graphs, pictures, or other illustrations
- Facts
- All or part of an existing paper or other resource
This list is not meant to include all possible examples of plagiarism. See the University Library’s web page on plagiarism for further examples.
Even with a citation, failure to put quotation marks around direct quotations also constitutes plagiarism, because it implies that the writing is your own. Material should either be paraphrased or clearly designated as a quotation. Note that replacing words with synonyms, changing verb tense or other minor alterations do not qualify as paraphrasing.
Any student found to have intentionally plagiarized shall be immediately withdrawn from the class with an “F” grade. Students found to have unintentionally plagiarized shall receive a “0" for the given assignment.
NO EXCEPTIONS.
Student Accessibility Services
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) covers issues relating to disability and accommodations. If a student has questions or needs an accommodation in the classroom (all medical information is treated confidentially), contact:
Trudy Luken, Director
Student Accessibility Services (SAS)
Corbett Center, Rm. 244
Phone: (575) 646-6840
E-mail:sas@nmsu.edu
Website: www.nmsu.edu/~ssd/
NMSU policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, retaliation, serious medical condition, sex, sexual orientation, spousal affiliation and protected veterans status.
Furthermore, Title IX prohibits sex discrimination to include sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual harassment and retaliation.
For more information on discrimination issues, Title IX or NMSU's complaint process contact:
Gerard Nevarez, Executive Director or Agustin Diaz, Associate Director
Office of Institutional Equity (OIE)
O'Loughlin House
Phone: (575) 646-3635
E-mail:equity@nmsu.edu
Website: http://www.nmsu.edu/~eeo/
Five Week Schedule
|
Week 1 Aug 18-24 |
Getting Started Unit
Learning Objectives:
Scheduled Events:
Readings:
Activities:
|
|
Week 2 Aug 25-Sep 2 |
Unit 1 Learning Objectives:
Scheduled Events:
Readings:
Activities:
|
|
Week 3 Sep 3-Sep 9 |
Unit 2 Learning Objectives:
Scheduled Events:
Readings:
Activities:
|
|
Week 4 Sep 10-16 |
Unit 3 Learning Objectives:
Scheduled Events:
Readings:
Activities:
|
|
Week 5 Sep 17-23 |
Unit4 Learning Objectives:
Scheduled Events:
Readings:
Assignments:
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Below are two different printable formats of the Syllabus and 5 Week Scedule:
Syllabus for Supreme Court Systems.pdf
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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