Civil Liberties

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

• To practice the skill of reading and analyzing written judicial opinions.

• To become familiar with the Bill of Rights and its interpretation by the U.S. Supreme Court.

• To explore the Court’s treatment of individual liberties, including freedom of religion, free speech, freedom of the press, right to bear arms, and privacy.

• To explore the states’ obligation to provide protections against discrimination.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Case brief book	100 points
Class participation (2 in-class practice exams)	30 points
Oral brief	20 points
Unit One exam	100 points
Unit Two exam	100 points
Unit Three exam	100 points

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

Grading Scale

(Total = 450 possible points)

A = 417–450 pts

A− = 403–416 pts

B+ = 394–402 pts

B = 372–393 pts

B− = 358–371 pts

C+ = 349–357 pts

C = 327–348 pts

C− = 313–326 pts

D+ = 304–312 pts

D = 282–303 pts

D− = 268–281 pts

F = 267 pts and below

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

• Epstein, Lee and Thomas G. Walker. Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Rights, Liberties and Justice. 2025. 12th edition. Washington D.C.: CQ Press. (Available at the University Bookstore; also available as an e-book).

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