Constitutional Law: Bill of Rights
Political Science 404
MWF 11-11:50 C117

Winter 2004

Instructor: Peter Watkins                                                                                                                                                       
Office: CEC 208                                                                                                                                                                          
Office Phone: x6350                                                                                                                        
peterw@saintjoe.edu

Introduction

This semester we will consider the work of the United States Supreme Court in the areas of civil liberties and civil rights. Our attention will therefore be devoted to an analysis of the Court's work in the area of free speech, religious freedom and establishment, criminal rights, the right to privacy and equal protection.

In his recent book on Saint Augustine, Garry Wills notes Jaspers' observation that "Augustine thinks in questions." Every class we will try and understand constitutional law by asking questions. One question will follow another until we have understood the case under consideration. The Court decided the earliest case we will consider this semester in 1833. A number of cases are drawn from the Court's October 2002 term.

You are required to purchase two texts for this class. They are

These texts are available for purchase in the bookstore. If you are unable to get a copy for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

A number of Internet sites provide useful information for students of constitutional law. The following are particularly useful: OYEZ: US Supreme Court Multimedia (Northwestern University School of Law), Legal Information Institute (Cornell Law School), and the Supreme Court of the United States.

In addition to the above, you might also find Kermit L. Hall's edited volume, Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of great value. This text is available in the Reference area of the Robinson Memorial Library.

If you are a student with a disability, please meet with me at your earliest opportunity to discuss any accommodations you will need during class activity, examinations, and out of class assignments in order to participate fully and demonstrate your abilities.

Class Schedule

The course calendar can be found below. On it you will find a daily breakdown of reading assignments. In order to participate fully in this class all readings must be completed by the date noted in the calendar.

 January 12: Introduction
January 14: CLP 315-317, 322-325
January 16: CLP 388-408
January 19: CLP 415-419, SCW 47-52
January 21: CLP 427-444
January 23: CLP 444-471
January 26: CLP 476-491
January 28: CLP 491-502, SCW 58-63
January 30: CLP 514-531
February 2: CLP 565-576
February 4: CLP 580-589
February 6: CLP 594-603, SCW 75-78
February 9: CLP 615-633, SCW 82-91
February 11: CLP 690-706
February 13: CLP 706-729
February 16: CLP 729-755
February 18: CLP 755-782, SCW 93-104
February 20: CLP 792-797, 800-812
February 23: CLP 812-829
February 25: CLP 843-849
February 27: CLP 859-870
March 1: CLP 870-881, SCW 107-109
March 3: CLP 888-897, 898-910
March 5: Mid-term examination
March 15: CLP 943-958, 960-965
March 17: CLP 971-984
March 19: CLP 984-998
March 22: CLP 1018-1037
March 24: CLP 1038-1055
March 26: CLP 1076-1085
March 29: CLP 1092-1095, 1097, 1103-1106
March 31: CLP 1106-1116
April 2: CLP 1154-1182
April 5: CLP 1183-1195, SCW 128-133
April 7: CLP 1226, 1230-1243
April 9: No classes
April 12: No classes
April 14: CLP 1249-1270
April 16: CLP 1287-1307, SCW 136-147
April 19: CLP 1337-1363
April 21: CLP 1376-1380, 1387-1391
April 23: CLP 1391-1413
April 26: CLP 1423-1440, 1446-1474
April 28: SCW 152-165, CLP 1483-1491
April 30: CLP 1491-1507, 1511-1522
May 4: Final examination at 8:00

Class Requirements

A number of short in-class quizzes, two oral examinations, one written take-home examination, and two in-class examinations will be administered this semester.

Three short in-class quizzes will be given during the first half of the semester. The other three quizzes will be administered during the latter portion of the semester. The dates of these quizzes will not be announced. I will administer them at my discretion.

The oral examinations will take place during the weeks of March 1 and April 26. The mid-term oral and mid-term in-class examination will draw upon those cases covered during the period January 14-March 3. Questions on the final oral exam will cover material considered during the period March 15-April 30. The in-class final examination is comprehensive. The written take-home examination will be distributed on April 19. The due date for this examination to be submitted to me is April 26.

The written take-home must possess a cover page and must be stapled in the top left-hand corner. It must be typed and double-spaced. A font size no larger than 12pt. must be used. The right and bottom margins are to be 1 inch wide. The left margin is to be 1.25 inches wide. The top margin, with the exception of the first page, must be 1 inch wide. The top margin on the first page must be 2 inches in width. The examination must be handed in during the class on the date the assignment is due. You are responsible for keeping an extra copy of your paper. Failure to follow these requirements will lead to penalties being assessed.
                                                                                      Quizzes @ 10 points each          60 points
                                                                                      Mid-term oral examination         50 points
                                                                                      Mid-term in-class examination  50 points
                                                                                      Final oral examination                 50 points
                                                                                      Final take-home examination     50 points
                                                                                      Final in-class examination         100 points
                                           
                                                                                     Total                                             360 points

You will receive a zero if you absent yourself from a quiz or examination. Half a letter grade (e.g. C+ to C) will be deducted every day a writing assignment is handed in late. I will discuss exceptions to these rules at our first class meeting.

No extra credit is available.

A 100%-94.5%, A- 94.4%-89.5%, B+ 89.4%-86.5%, B 86.4%-83.5%, B- 83.4%-79.5%, C+ 79.4%-76.5%, C 76.4%-73.5%, C- 73.4%-69.5%, D+ 69.4%-64.5%, D 64.4%-59.5%, F 59.4% and below.

Office Hours

I will be available for conferences between 8-8:50 M-F. If you would like to meet with me at another time, please make an appointment to do so. Appointments can be by calling the number listed at the top of the syllabus, by calling me at home (866-8768), or by sending me an e-mail message.

I will sometimes contact the class via e-mail. Please check your e-mail on a regular basis.

Attendance Policy
A discussion of the college's academic honesty policy can be found in the Saint Joseph's College 2003-2004 Catalog. See pp. 47-48.

If you are a member of an athletic team, please identify yourself during the first class session. Professor Teresa, the Faculty Athletic Representative, has prepared an information sheet for members of the faculty, which addresses questions of athletic-related absences. I will distribute this sheet to those identified as members of athletic teams. You, not your coach, are responsible for informing me of any athletic-related absences.

Academic Honesty
"Whenever you are to do a thing, though it can never be known but to yourself, ask yourself how you would act were all the world looking at you, and act accordingly." - Thomas Jefferson

A discussion of academic honesty can be found in the college catalog. Please familiarize yourself with this policy. It can be found in the Saint Joseph's College 2003-2004 Catalog. Please reference pp. 52-54.