LEGAL STUDIES 200 HONORS CLASS
Tuesday Class
fallSemester 2017
SYLLABUS
I. INSTRUCTOR: Philip N. Lisenby, Circuit Judge for the 6thJudicial Circuit of Alabama.
II. CONTACT INFORMATION:
OR
Office: 5th Floor, Tuscaloosa County Courthouse, 714 Greensboro Ave., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
III.WEBSITE: I post a great deal of information on my website including chapter outlines, materials not contained in the textbook, class and exam schedules, and announcements. It is advised thatyou check the website each day. The address for the website is:
IV. OFFICE HOURS: As a part-time instructor, I do not have an office on the University campus. I am afull time judge
in the family and juvenile court divisions of the Tuscaloosa CountyCircuit Court. Unless I am out of town, I have cases
set each day beginning at 9:00 a.m. I will be available most days after class. The best method to contact me is by
e-mail. I will try to respond to you as soon as possible. I check my e-mail several times each day and can generally
respond to you on the same day. I generally do not respond to e-mail questions which can be answered by this syllabus
or my website.
V. TEXTBOOK: The Legal Environment Today, SixthEdition, by Miller and Cross.
VI.COURSE DESCRIPTION: This is a basic and practical introduction to the study of law and the influence of law on the business environment.
VII. COURSE PREREQUISITES: None.
VIII.COURSE OBJECTIVES: Utilizing various resources, including the required textbook, case studies, guest speakers, lectures, handout materials, and extracurricular bonus activities, students are expected to become familiar with an overview of the American legal system and the legal environment of business. The relationship among law, business, political influences, and the society will be treated. Students will be expected to develop a working knowledge of the state and federal court systems, the sources of our laws, civil and criminal law, business organizations, contracts, constitutional law, and other elements of the legal environment of business.
IX. DISABILITY ACCESS STATEMENT: “To request disability accommodations, please contact the Office of Disability Services at 348-4285. After consultation with that office, contact your professor. However, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements for the accommodations on a timely basis. Special arrangements for exams must be made at least one week prior to the exam date or your instructor is not required to provide requested accommodations. Any request for special arrangements made less than one week prior to an exam date may not be able to be honored.” The University of Alabama and this instructor are committed to equal opportunity in education and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or against qualified handicapped persons disabled veterans, or other veterans.
X. COURSE GRADING AND REQUIREMENTS:
A =90-100
B=80-89
C=70-79
D=60-69
F=Below 60
Note: Except for failing grades, final grade averages ending in 8 or 9 will be given a “+” and final grade averages ending in 0, 1 or 2 will be given a “-“.
XI. EXAMS: There will be two exams during regular class hours and a comprehensive final exam. The dates for the semester exams will be announced at least one week prior to the exam. The final exam will be given according to the University exam schedule. (Although the final exam will be comprehensive, it will be primarily weighted on the material covered after the second regular exam). Each exam will be count as 25% of your final grade. Make up exams will only be given if you have a valid excuse and will be given at the same time as you take the final exam (you will take the final exam at the scheduled time and then the make up). If you miss any exam without a valid excuse, you will receive a ZERO for that grade. If you have a special circumstance and know in advance that you will not be available to take an exam at the scheduled time, please make arrangements with me ahead of the scheduled exam.
The other 25% of your grade will be based upon a 5 to 7 page paper. Early in the semester, I will assign each student a particular case which was either, decided by the U.S. Supreme Court or was a case of significant public interest. I will provide you more information, including the format of your paper, at the time your case is assigned. This paper will be due to me on or before the last day of this class for the semester – the last day this class is scheduled to meet, not the day of the final exam. You will need to provide me a hard copy.
XII. ATTENDANCE AND CLASS PARTICIPATION: The class discussions will generally follow the outline of the textbook; however it will not be exact. The exams will be based upon material covered in class, whether or not such material is in the textbook. It is therefore essential that you attend each class in a timely manner. Students will be expected to attend all classes on time, prepare for the class discussions, and to demonstrate a professional approach to learning. Class attendance will be taken. The roll may be passed around at the beginning or end of each class. Make sure that you initial the roll by your name – if you fail to do so by the end of the class, you will not receive credit for that class. . Do not allow anyone to sign the roll on your behalf and do not sign the roll for anyone else. Such activity is dishonest and will not be tolerated in this class. Anyone caught signing the roll for someone else will be given an “F” for this class. I intend this class to be interactive. Therefore, class participation is strongly encouraged.
AS FURTHER INCENTIVE FOR CLASS ATTENDANCE, YOU WILL RECEIVE UP TO 5 BONUS POINTS ON YOUR FINAL AVERAGE FOR PERFECT ATTENDANCE. (4 POINTS IF YOU MISS 1 CLASS, 3 POINTS IF YOU MISS 2 CLASSES, 2 POINTS IF YOU MISS 3 CLASSES, 1 POINTS IF YOU MISS 4 CLASSES, 0 IF YOU MISS 5 CLASSES. THESE ARE BONUS POINTS TO REWARD CLASS ATTENDANCE. PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT KEEP UP WITH THE REASON YOU MAY MISS A CLASS – EITHER YOU ARE PRESENT OR NOT. THEREFORE, EXCEPT FOR PURPOSES OF MAKING UP AN EXAM, EXCUSES ARE NOT CONSIDERED.
XIII. ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT: All students in attendance at the University of Alabama are expected to be honorable and to observe standards of conduct appropriate to a community of scholars. The University expects from its students a higher standard of conduct than the minimum required to avoid discipline. Academic misconduct includes all acts of dishonesty in any academically related matter and any knowing or intentional help or attempt to help, or conspiracy to help, another student. The Academic Misconduct Disciplinary Policy will be followed in the event of academic misconduct.
XIV.GRADE REQUIREMENT STATEMENT: Students must earn a “C-” or better in all required and elective courses inthe major. A “C-” or better is required in all external courses required by the major whether they serve as a prerequisite to a major course or are simply required by the major.
XV.CULTURAL DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
"A university is a place where the universality of the human experience manifests itself." --Albert Einstein
In keeping with the spirit of Einstein's viewpoint, the Department of Communication Studies is committed to providing an atmosphere of learning that is representative of a variety of perspectives. In this class, you will have the opportunity to express and experience cultural diversity as we focus on issues such as: gender and communication in small groups, communication in the multicultural group, and cross-cultural and intercultural work group communication. In addition, writing assignments and daily activities have been designed to encourage individuality and creative expression. You are encouraged to not only take advantage of these opportunities in your own work, but also, learn from the information and ideas shared by other students.
XVI.CLASSROOM DECORUM STATEMENT:
The Code of Student Conduct requires that students behave in a manner that is conducive to a teaching/learning environment. Students who engage in behavior that is disruptive or obstructive to the teaching/learning environment will be subject to disciplinary sanctions outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. Disruptive/obstructive behavior is not limited to but may include the following: physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, stalking, intimidation harassment, hazing, possession of controlled substances, and possession of alcoholic beverages.
XVII.USE OF PLAGIARISM DETECTION SOFTWARE STATEMENT:
The University of Alabama is committed to helping students to uphold the ethical standards of academic integrity in all areas of study. Students agree that their enrollment in this course allows the instructor the right to use electronic devices to help prevent plagiarism. All course materials are subject to submission to Turnitin.com for the purpose of detecting textual similarities. Turnitin.com will be used as a source document to help students avoid plagiarism in written documents.
XVIII.SEVERE WEATHER PROTOCOL:
The Office of Public Relations will disseminate the latest information regarding conditions on campus in the following ways:
- Weather advisory posted on the UA homepage
- Weather advisory sent out through Connect-ED--faculty, staff and students (sign up at myBama)
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA at 90.7 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over Alabama Public Radio (WUAL) at 91.5 FM
- Weather advisory broadcast over WVUA 7. WVUA 7 Storm Watch provides a free service you can subscribe to that allows you to receive weather warnings for Tuscaloosa via e-mail, pager or cell phone. Check for details.
XIX.PROPOSED SEMESTER SCHEDULE: Attached hereto is a proposed outline for the schedule of presentation of material and exams. I reserve the right to adjust the assignment and presentation of material and exam dates as may be necessary.
SEMESTER SCHEDULE
Fall Semester 2017 – Honors Class
Philip N. Lisenby
Introduction to the Law
Chapter 1: Legal Foundations
Real Case Discussion
Chapter 3: The American Legal System and Legal Representation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
The Alabama Court Structure
Mock Trial
EXAM #1
Chapter 4: Constitutional Law
Chapter 6: Criminal Law
Chapter 5: Civil Law and Torts
Paternity, Child Support and Domestic Relations Matters
EXAM #2
Chapter 9: Contract Formation
Chapter 10: Contract Performance, Breach and Remedies
Chapter 14: Small Business Organizations
Chapter 15: Corporations
Chapter 13: Creditor’s Rights and Bankruptcy
Chapter 22: Land Use Control and Real Property
Overview and Review for FINAL EXAM – Final Exam according to University exam schedule
*** THIS SCHEDULE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND PROBABLY WILL CHANGE DURING THE SEMESTER ***
It is possible that I will occasionally be late getting to class due to my court schedule. This will be very rare. Unless I have a note posted outside the classroom or have contacted you in some other manner, I will be present. Therefore, it is important that you remain at class even if I am late getting there.