Special Topics: Rights of the Accused

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Case-method approach to the most important aspects of criminal law regarding the rights of the accused.  Topics include Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Amendment law.

In this course, we will read U.S. Supreme Court cases regarding the rights of the accused. We will focus on landmark cases based on search and seizure, self-incrimination, right to counsel, and cruel and unusual punishment, among others. The course will follow a case-method approach.

Students successfully completing this course will:

• Practice the skill of reading and analyzing written judicial opinions

• Explore the historical evolution of rights of the accused in the states through 14th amendment case law

• Become familiar with constitutional protections of accused persons and how the U.S. Supreme Court interprets these rights

• Practice formulating and articulating written legal arguments

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Case brief	45 points
Reflection paper	45 points
Short paper assignment #1	90 points
Short paper assignment #2	90 points
Unit test #1	90 points
Unit test #2	90 points

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
417–450 pts	A
403–416 pts	A−
394–402 pts	B+
372–393 pts	B
358–371 pts	B−
349–357 pts	C+
327–348 pts	C
313–326 pts	C−
304–312 pts	D+
282–303 pts	D
268–281 pts	D−
267 pts and below	F

Attendance/Participation:

Attendance will be taken, and points will be deducted from the final point total based on the following number of absences:

Excessive absences, tardiness or leaving early: -15 points

Rarely comes to class except on exam/assignment days: -30 points

(* “Excessive” = more than 6 absences; “Rarely” = more than 10 absences)

*Tardies and leaving early count as ½ an absence unless you notify me

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Two blue books for written exams (available at the campus bookstore)

• Print costs for case readings (available on Canvas)