COURSE SYLLABUS – LAW & SOCIETY - Distance Learning

BUS 200-D1 FallQuarter, 2012

Registration Item 9450
(This course was formerly known as Introduction to Law, and has had the prefix of both BUS 200 and POLS&200 in the years prior to Winter Quarter 2010.)
This quarter we will be using theANGEL Learning Management System for at least part of the course communications and e-mail. The college usually does not turn ANGEL on until the beginning day of the quarter – so that would be Monday, September 24, 2012.

Here is the logon site to learn about the ANGEL system, which also has "Help" and "Guided Tour" links at the upper right corner of the site:


(use your Student ID number for User Name, and for the Password use the first five letters of your last name, in small case – if you have fewer than five letters just use them all)

If you have any technical problems, e-mail for North's e-Learning Support Center (NeLSC), or call them at 206-934-3738.

Instructor: Larry Hopt, JD

e-mail: , or use the ANGEL internal e-mail for the class.
I prefer e-mail over phone messages, if you can. NOTE that e-mail messages through the college will NOT be private, as network technicians etc. have access to e-mail.

ALSO, be aware that I am not "on duty" 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. I will be checking my e-mail on a regular basis, and will try to respond to your questions fairly quickly, but I may not be able to respond to you immediately (especially if I am awayon a getaway weekend!). I usually try to respond within 24-48 hours during the M-F week.

Instructor’s Office: IB 2413B This is in the BEIT (Business, Engineering & Information Technologies) Division, on the second floor of the Instruction Building, in the East Hallway.

Phone: (206) 934-4529 Voice-Mail is available if I am not able to answer when you call. I try to check this daily, but may not be able to get back to you for a day or so.

FAX: (866) 270-6166 This is a toll-free fax that comes straight to me.

Office Hours this quarter:I plan to set aside Wednesday afternoon from 3 to 6 pm, and Thursday afternoon from 3 to 5 pm, and by appointment.
IfI am not able to answer your questions by e-mail, I will be happy to meet with you in person if you need, at my office. I am in my office quite often during the week besides my “official” office hours. However, I sometimes have to attend college meetings that are scheduled during my regular office hours. Send me an e-mail message to let me know you would like to come at a specific time!

Text: Understanding the Law (6th Edition – 2012 copyright) by Donald Carper and John McKinsey, published by South-Western Cengage Learning. The ISBN 13# is 9780538473590. It is available at the NSCC Bookstore, and through on-line bookstores, or you may be able to pick it up used at Craigslist.com; on E-Bay.com, or other online re-sale sites.

In the past, we have previously used the 5th Edition of this book by Donald Carper, John McKinsey & Bill West, also published by South-Western/West Publ. Co. You may be able to pick it up through on-line re-sale sites. The ISBN 13# is 9780324375121. We have also previously used Introduction to Law (4th Edition – 2010) by Joanne Banker Hames and Yvonne Ekern, published by Pearson – Prentice Hall. The ISBN 13# is 9780135024348.

IF you want to use one of these previous texts for another view of this introductory material, you certainly can – however, the current text will be used for all assignments, and there may be more current cases in the current text that I refer to in the exams.

I will also be giving you a link so you can access, as a supplementary textbook, a free, online book from Flat World Publishing Co.

TRANSFER?? This class transfers to the University of Washington. Other four-year colleges and university may prefer a different law class, such as Business Law (BUS&201). It is your responsibility to be sure you are in the right class for your transfer needs!

INSTRUCTOR BIO: I have been involved in one aspect or another of law for over thirty years. I worked for the US Forest Service during college doing surveying work, primarily for road right-of-way issues, and property exchanges between the government and private owners. I worked for a savings-and-loan association for a couple of years after graduation from college, working on real-estate loans for residential and commercial projects. While attending law school I worked for the King County Real Property Division on a variety of legal projects, including the negotiation for the Burlington-Northern transfer to the county of many miles of the Burke-Gilman trail extension of railroad right-of-way parcels. I practiced law for a number of years, doing many real-estate deals including commercial leases, real-estate tax issues, wills & trusts, probate of estates, ownership disputes, business entities (corporations, partnerships, LLC’s, etc.) and employment disputes. I taught at the University of Washington (now Foster) School of Business for two years prior to joining the NSCC faculty. I have been a full-time faculty member at NSCC since 1987. I have also taught law, and accounting courses, at other local schools - Edmonds CC Paralegal program, South Seattle CC and Seattle Central CC.

READING REQUIREMENTS: All students are expected to keep up with the reading for this class. We will have over 100 pages of reading each week, counting the text assignments, articles, webpages, etc. Please budget your time so you can read at least 20 pages per day! There will be numerous other articles, books and websites to refer to. A facility in English speaking, listening, reading and writing will be essential to successful completion of this class.

COURSE OBJECTIVE: The objective of this course is to acquaint the student with fundamental legal concepts, structures and functions of the American legal system. We will examine the role of law, and the "evolving" nature of law as it relates to our society, and especially how it affects each of our lives on a daily basis. We will look at the legal system as a framework for the avoidance of problems in the future; and for resolving problems that inevitably arise in a complex society. This course is not intended to make the student into a lawyer, and cannot be an in-depth examination of all the topics to be introduced. It is intended to provide an overview of the legal system so students know where to look to find basic info, and how to contact legal professionals when they need help.

NSCC Essential Learning Outcomes:
1. Intellectual and Practical Skills – critical thinking and problem solving.
2. Integrative and Applied Learning – synthesis and application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and problems.

APPROACH: We will approach the law from several points. We will use the text as an introduction to topics We will then look at direct sources of information, such as actual cases reported in the "case reporters," and state and federal statutes, and look at sources of information available on the Internet. We will complete a set of "outside class" assignments such as going to see a trial in action, investigating a law library, interviewing an attorney, etc.

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STUDY SUGGESTIONS:

  1. Terminology. Law has a language all its own. As you read through a chapter, write down each word that is "new" to you. Write down in your own words what you think it means. Check the glossary at the back of the book to see if that matches your definition fairly well, or with a law dictionary (like Black’s Law Dictionary, in the NSCC library). See if you can write a sentence using the new word that makes sense. This will help you develop a mastery of the terminology.
  2. Questions and Problem Cases. At the end of each chapter there are a series of sample cases or questions. See if you can answer them. Check with other students in class to see if you are in agreement. Some of these cases are based on real cases. Compare your analysis with how the court ruled.

GRADING POLICIES

You have a variety of ways to earn points towards your final grade in this class. Please take a look at the grading summary on the next pages. Note that every student needs to complete a number of short projects in order to pass this class – if you just take the exams you will probably not pass!

Work-at-Home Exams. You will have several exams covering the assigned chapters. We may experiment with taking these exams on the ANGEL site, or I may have you e-mail in your answers - the instructions for each exam will let you know how to proceed. 400 points out of the 1,000 possible - 40% of the course grade.

One On-Campus Final exam (this may be proctored at another college/university if you are not in the Seattle area). For the Final exam, you will have no opportunity to talk or compare notes with other students, although you will have "open-book" access to your law textbook, law dictionary, handouts and notes from the class. If you are in a location not convenient to take the exam here on the NSCC campus, you can arrange to have your exam at a proctored testing center at another school.(You will need to make your own arrangements for that.) No "electronics" are allowed for the final exam – including electronic dictionaries, so bring a written dictionary if you need one! 300 points out of the 1,000 possible - 30% of the course grade.

Class Participation & Discussion Rooms – 100 Points – 10% of the grade.
1. 10 points. On the ANGEL website for the class, please click on the “Preferences” icon on the left side of the page. Then click on Personal Information. Scroll down to Contact Settings - the “Photo URL” line, and click the “Add” button to attach a current, clear face photo of yourself.

2. 10 points. Then, in the “About Me” section, please let us know a bit about you – what part of the world you are from; what languages you speak; what kind of work experiences you have had – or hope to have, etc.

3. 80 points. Each student will be expected to participate in timely on-line discussions in the weekly "class discussion rooms," on the class ANGEL website. That means "postings" on each topic assigned for the class discussion rooms. See each week's assignments for guidelines on assigned discussion topics.

PROJECTS. Independent student projects account for 20 percent of the grade for the class - i.e., 200 points out of the total 1,000 possible. Look below for a "menu" of many possible short activities and projects. You are free to choose any four projects from this list. If there is something you are particularly interested in as a special project, let me know and I will work with you to try to accomplish that during the quarter. Instructions for each of these projects will be posted on the ANGEL website for the class. Check out the schedule for turning in projects on the calendar below! Projects to choose from:

NSCC/local Library Attorney Interview
UW Law Library Police Officer Interview
Law ArticlesSuperior Court Visitation
Law-related Book ReviewLaw-related Movie Review
Your Own Law ProjectMoot Court Juror

NOTE - Extra Credit! Here's about the only way to earn extra credit for this class: You can turn in one or two extra projects as extra credit if you want (that can bump up your grade by one or two decimal points – i.e., if you have earned a 3.4, but turn in two extra projects, you can bump your grade up to a 3.6.)
NOTE: Check the Calendar for Due Dates for both the regular projects, and for any extra-credit projects!

NOTE: Minimum Scores to pass this class:
1. IN-CLASS EXAM. The last exam is a cumulative exam. In order to master the material in this class, much study, completion of homework, and consistent participation are required. The final exam is a good indicator that you have minimally performed these functions, that you have an understanding of the important concepts of this class, and that your work has been your own. You should review each chapter in the book, all handouts from the instructor, and all info posted on the class website.

The final examwill be on-campus (or proctored at another school, if you are not in Seattle), with no opportunity for you to talk or compare notes with other students, although it will be open-book and open notes. You will need to have done all the research needed to answer all the questions on the take-home exams, AND you will need to put in time reviewing at the end of the class, to be fully prepared for the last exam. You will need to score at least a minimum of 67% correct on the final exam, in order to get credit for this class. (The exam is 300 points possible, or 30% of the total possible for the class)

Frequently asked questions:

  • Question - “If my grade for all the other items is better than 67%, but my final exam grade is less than 67%, can I still get credit for the class?”

Answer: No.

  • Question - “If my total score for all the other items is below a passing (67%), but I score above a 67% on the final exam, can I get credit for the class?”

Answer: Yes - IF the final exam score raises the total for the whole course to at least 67%.

(Your overall score for the course must be at 67% or above, and your final exam must be at 67% or above, to get credit for the class.)

Indvidual Score Sheet

POSSIBLE POINTS

Interim Exams 400 _____

Final Exam On-CampusDec 8, 2012 300 _____
(or proctored at another college)

Class Participation/Discussion Rooms 100 _____

Projects – Total200 _____

TOTAL COURSE POINTS EARNED: _____ (MAX 1,000)

GRADE: _____

GRADING SCALE: At the end of the quarter, your total score will be compared to the following table to determine the grade you have earned for the class. This scale may require higher scores than other classes you have taken or are taking now. This reflects the fact that many of the exams/projects in this class are "take-home," and "open-book" in nature.

NOTE: No course credit is given for total ending scores with less than 67%, OR if you score less than 67% on the final exam.

Percentage 4.0 Grade Scale / Percentage 4.0 Grade Scale / Percentage 4.0 Grade Scale
96 – 100% 4.0
95 3.9
94 3.8
93 3.7
92 3.6
91 3.5
90 3.4
89 3.3
88 3.2
87 3.1 / 86 3.0
85 2.9
84 2.8
83 2.7
82 2.6
81 2.5
80 2.4
79 2.3
78 2.2
77 2.1 / 76 2.0
75 1.9
74 1.8
73 1.7
72 1.6
71 1.5
70 1.4
69 1.3
68 1.2
67 1.1

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES:

Students are encouraged to seek campus support services when necessary to support their learning and academic progress. Refer to student handbook, brochures/flyers, or college website for information about:

Disability Services Office (accommodations for disabilities)
Tutoring Services
Library
LOFTWriting Center Plus
Counseling
Women’s Center
Multicultural Services Office
WellnessCenter
Veteran’s Office

POLICYON COURSE WITHDRAWAL:
The instructor may initiate administrative withdrawals of students who do not start class during the first week of the quarter, in order to accommodate other students seeking entry into the class. Official withdrawal at other times of the quarter is the responsibility of the student.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT:
In my commitment to student learning I want to support all students. If you have a disability that might affect your performance in this class please contact the college's Disability Services for support in implementing reasonable accommodations for their disabilities. To make an appointment, contact the Disability Services office by phone at (206) 934-3697, TTY at (206) 934-0079 modem, or e-mail at . Their office is currently located at the North end of the College Center Building - room CC2346A, Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.

ACADEMIC HONESTY: Academic honesty is highly valued at NSCC. A student must always submit work that represents his/her original words or ideas. Any academic dishonesty will result in the exam or work being given zero credit. The student may receive a "0.0" grade for the course. Academic Dishonesty will also result in no recognition whatsoever for any “extra-credit” work that may have been turned in! It may also result in other disciplinary action as determined by the Division Dean, orVP of Instruction, and the student may be removed from the class or the college.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY COULD INCLUDE:

1. Having a tutor or friend complete a portion of your assignment.

2. Having a reviewer make extensive revisions to an assignment.

3. Copying work submitted by another student, or giving another student your work to copy.

4. Using information from online information services, websites, etc., without proper citation, or claiming it as the student's own work.

5. Taking exam answers from another student’s paper, or allowing another student to take exam answers from your exam.

6. Using materials not allowed, toanswer exam questions.

7. Making copies of exam questions.

8. Making contact with someone else during the final exam, either in person or electronically (phone, texting, online, etc.).

EXAMINATION CONDUCT: Students are expected to complete examinations without the unauthorized use of reference materials, notes, or contact with classmates or anyone else, unless with permission of the instructor.

Schedule for FallQuarter 2012 – BUS 200-D1

Projected Schedule – Note this is the tentative schedule
Chapters of text to Read/Prepare:

WEEK 1 9/24 – 9/29
Chapter 1, Introduction to Law
Chapter 2, The Constitution
WEEK 29/30 – 10/6
Chapter 3, The Court System
Chapter 4, Attorney-Client Relationship & Dispute Resolution

October 6 - due date to turn in your first projecton ANGEL, from the list above
WEEK 310/7 – 10/13
Chapter 5, Administrative Law

October 13 - due date to turn in your second projecton ANGEL, from the list above

WEEK 410/14 – 10/20
Chapter 7, Torts: Private Wrongs

October 20 - due date to turn in your third project on ANGEL, from the list above