Discipline: Administration of Justice Degree Credit  [X]
Non Credit  [ ]
Nondegree Credit  [ ]
Comm Service  [ ]
 

Riverside Community College District
Integrated Course Outline of Record

Administration of Justice 9


COURSE DESCRIPTION
9 Law In American Society Units: 3.00
 
Prerequisite: None.
 
A general survey of practical law intended as an introduction to the American legal system and to acquaint the student with elements of the law that affect everyday legal relationships: criminal and juvenile justice, consumer law, family law, housing law, and individual rights and liberties. Emphasis is placed on the philosophical and political foundations of law and on civil law. Recommended for prelaw students and for others interested in the practical application of the law. 54 hours lecture.
 
SHORT DESCRIPTION FOR CLASS SCHEDULE
Introduction to the American legal system and the laws that affect everyday legal relationships.
 
ADVISORY ENTRY SKILLS
None.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
 Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to:

Identify the constitutional officers of the United States, State of
California and local government agencies.

Analyze the relationship between the U.S. Constitution and the
various components of the American legal system.

Define, and describe legal definitions and concepts.

Identify the fundamental principles and values underlying our
Constitution, Laws and legal system.

Critically analyze current issues and controversies relating to pubic
policy, the Law and the legal system.

Identify for implementation, effective strategies for citizen
participation in the legal system.

Formulate public policy recommendations for resolving disputes
through informal and, where necessary, formal mechanisms.

Analyze basic substantive differences between criminal law, civil
law, administrative law, family law, motor vehicle law, landlord
tenant law, home ownership, employee and employer rights and
duties, and wills, trusts, and probate, and other categories of law
which exist in the American Legal System.
 
COURSE CONTENT
  TOPICS
 
  1. Extensive review of the U.S. Constitution; preamble, articles 1 – 3, and amendments 1- 26;  and individual citizen constitutional
    rights issues.  
  2. Identify the person, the role and responsibilities of the
    Constitutional officers of the United States, State of California,
    and local government agencies.
  3. Analyze and evaluate the substantive and procedural relationship between the U.S. Constitution and the American legal system.
  4. Define, and describe legal definitions and concepts, and how they are utilized in the American legal system.
  5. Describe, analyze, and evaluate the fundamental principles and
    values underlying the U.S. Constitution, the law and the legal
    system.
  6. Critically analyze and evaluate current issues regarding public
     policy development and implementation identify strategies for
     citizen participation in the legal system.
  7. Form public policy recommendations for resolving disputes
    informally and formally.
  8. Review, analyze, and evaluate the substantive and procedural
    differences between the various categories of law in the American legal system. 
 
METHODS OF INSTRUCTION
 Methods of instruction used to achieve student learning outcomes may include, but are not limited to:

 

  • Develop and assign web based activities such as review of the U.S. Constitution as applicable to current public policy issues and individual constitutional rights read, analyze and evaluate the organizational websites of government, constitutional, officers, in the public sector
  • Discuss the substantive and procedural application of the U.S. Constitution to public policy development, implementation and critique
  • Discuss how citizens can participate in the development and implementation of public policy and law
  • Discuss how to resolve disputes through informal and formal means
  • These instructional methods are developed as web quests, web site reviews, internet presentations, on line paper submissions and the viewing of specific on line presentations.
  • Everything in this class is developed around web based activities
  • In the traditional lecture method, there will be use of overhead transparencies, white board, handouts, videos, and student participation
 
METHODS OF EVALUATION
 Students will be evaluated for progress in and/or mastery of learning outcomes by methods of evaluation which may include, but are not limited to:

  • Chapter quizzes and on line testing; for course knowledge and comprehension
  • On line paper presentations;  essays,  review, analytical and evaluative exercises to assess citizen participation in the legal system
  • In class exercises;   pro / con analysis of current practitioner practices;  citizen participation in the development and implementation of public policy issues; through  people’s law – propositions 21 juvenile crime initiative, 36 substance abuse prevention, 83 sex offenders, sexually violent predators, 184 three strikes and 215 medical marijuana
  • In class group presentations on public policy issues which emanate from a central figure in the legal system; i.e. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has commissioned a report on the status of California Government.  The report - California Performance Review; bringing California back, Government for the People for a Change, contains four volumes of comprehensive recommendations to reform and revitalize California's state government.  275 volunteers worked for five months examining organizational structures analyzing data, meeting with stakeholders and compiling recommendations.  Governor Schwarzenegger states the fourth volume of the report contains 279 government issues with over 1,200 recommendations that have the potential to save the state of California $32 billion  over the next five years and guide California's government into the 21st century.  The report is listed - http://www.report.cpr.ca.gov/

 
ASSIGNMENTS

Required Reading Assignments


Required Writing Assignments


Other Outside-of-Class Assignments
 
COURSE MATERIALS
 All materials used in this course will be periodically reviewed to ensure that they are appropriate for college level instruction. Possible texts include:

  • Donald L. Carper, Bill W. West. Understanding the Law. 4th ed. South Western Publishing: Thomson, 2004.
33