Course Syllabus

 

Legal History and Public Policy

V339-8064

(*This is a preliminary syllabus.  More complete information will be made available the first week of class once rosters are complete.)

 

 

Instructor:

 

Richard Hansen, rihansen@iu.edu

 

Teaching Assistant:

 

To be updated at the beginning of the semester

 

Class Meeting (Date, Time and Location):

 

9:35 AM – 10:50 AM, Monday and Wednesday, GA 0003

 

Office Hours:  

 

By appointment. 

 

Communication/Canvas

 

Please check Canvas daily for updates and announcements.  Additionally, Canvas will have a week by week break down of assignments, due dates and other important course information.  It is particularly important to become familiar with the FAQ module.

 

All emails to the instructor should include the following in the subject line: V339.

 

Course Description:

 

This course will cover a specific policy issue in American history (such as race relations or political protest/dissent) during specific time periods and focus on the role played by the U. S. Supreme Court in dealing with that issue.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

At the completion of this class, the student should be able to:

 

  • Explain the historical basis of American criminal law
  • Describe the sources of criminal law
  • Chronicle the development of the major procedural safeguards attendant to American criminal proceedings such as the Fourth and Fifth Amendments
  • Explain the social context surrounding leading U.S.Supreme Court criminal cases
  • Apply current U.S .Supreme Court precedent to new situations

 

 

General Course Requirements:

 

**The following is preliminary and subject to change.  It is intended as a guide.  More information will become available the first week of class.**

 

Assignment

Quizzes and/or Miscellaneous Assignments

Midterm

Final

First Draft of Final Paper

Final Draft of Final Paper

 

Grading Scale:

 

This class will utilize the standard IU +/- grading scale.

 

Weighted Grading

This course uses weighted grading.  Please make sure you understand how weighted grading works and is displayed in Canvas.  The particular weighting will be assigned before the first day of class.

 

Schedule of Assignments:

A detailed schedule of assignments will be made available during the first week of class.  It is imperative that the student becomes acquainted with what the assignments are and when they are due. 

This will be explained more fully the first week of class but is nonetheless subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstance.

 

Text/Required Readings

THE EVOLUTION OF THE FOURTH AMENDMENT

EDITION: 09

PUBLISHER: RLPG

ISBN: 9780739129777

Additionally, each week there will likely be supplemental readings (that may be in the form of cases, historical texts, etc.) and videos that are posted.  Students will be expected to read the appropriate chapters from the text and any additional readings as well as view any posted videos prior to class.  This material will be included in class discussions, exams and quizzes.

 

How much time should you be spending on this class:  

You are expected to spend an average of 6 or more hours outside of class per week on reading, studying, assignments, etc.  Some weeks, especially at the beginning of the semester, may be less than this, while some weeks may be more. 

 

Attendance

Attendance will be taken each day and reported to the appropriate authorities as required.  While there is no set attendance policy, excessive absences as determined by the instructor are subject to penalty without further notice. 

In addition to the O’Neill School expectations of civility and professional conduct[1] (listed below)

distracting behavior such as repeatedly entering and exiting the room, sleeping, talking, reading no related materials may result in deductions to the student’s final grade or other sanctions depending on the severity of the infraction.

To be explained more fully the first day.

 

Make-up Exams/Quizzes

 Not allowed under any circumstances.  To be explained more fully the first day.

 

Late Written Assignments

Written assignments will be subject to a 10% deduction per day up to a 50% deduction. To be explained more fully the first day.

 

Extra Credit

Extra credit is inherently unfair and therefore there are no extra credit opportunities.  However, bonus points are generally awarded to the whole class on various exams or quizzes.  To be explained more fully the first day.

 

Technology Use

The use of phones (to text, email, take pictures), computers, and other electronics without the written permission of the university is forbidden and subject to penalty.  To be explained more fully the first day.

 

Late Withdrawal

 Subject to IU and SPEA guidelines.

After the auto-W deadline, withdrawal will be significantly limited, and you will need permission to withdraw and must meet requirements established by O’Neill.

 

Other Deadlines

To facilitate scheduling, a student’s failure to bring the following special circumstances to the attention of the instructor within the first two weeks of the semester may result in a deduction of points (for lack of diligence) or the forfeit of the accommodation:

  • AES Accommodations
  • Religious Observances
  • Exam Conflicts
  • Other University Approved Accommodations

 

General SPEA and IU Policies

O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

Student Honor Code

 

Introduction

The O’Neill School takes matters of honesty and integrity seriously.  We expect O’Neill students will, at all times, maintain academic integrity and civil and professional standards of conduct.

Scope

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code applies to all courses and programs offered by O’Neill, and to all students who participate in O’Neill classes and programs, regardless of whether students are admitted to O’Neill. Students studying at O’Neill are expected to continue their commitment to ethical behavior in all their endeavors, including, but not limited to, coursework inside and outside of O’Neill, internships, community service, and overseas study.

 

O’Neill’s Student Honor Code incorporates IU’s Code of Student Right, Responsibilities, & Conduct and extends to matters of civility and professional conduct, including, expectations about class attendance, punctuality, participation in class, and decorum in class and at other school functions.

Academic Conduct Requirements  

All students enrolled in O’Neill courses are subject to the academic misconduct provisions found in the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.  

Academic misconduct is defined as any activity that tends to undermine the academic integrity of the institution.

The IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct lists and defines many types of academic misconduct, including cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty.   

Academic misconduct includes the use of any technology or assistance, including AI, that is not permitted by the instructor.

 

Civility and Professional Conduct Requirements

 

O’Neill requires that all students treat others with mutual respect and behave professionally in the classroom and during all academic and non-academic activities.

 

These civility and professional conduct requirements foster an appropriate atmosphere inside and outside the classroom:

  • Students must act in accordance with the O’Neill School mission and values.
  • Students must regularly attend and be fully prepared for class, including completing readings.
  • Students must not behave in a way that interrupts or distracts from teaching or learning. For example, students must be punctual in their arrival to class and be present and attentive for the duration of the class. They must not sleep, do work for another class, or wander in and out of the classroom, pack up, or leave class early (unless an emergency exists).
  • Students must abide by the course policy regarding use of electronic devices in the classroom, including a requirement that no electronics are allowed or that students are not permitted to use devices for non-class related purposes.
  • Students must responsibly participate in class activities and during team meetings for course assignments.
  • Students must attend scheduled meetings with faculty or staff, events for which they have RSVPed, interviews with prospective employers, and student organization meetings.  
  • Students must address faculty members, other students, and others appropriately and with respect, whether in person, in writing, or in electronic communications.
  • Students must show tolerance and respect for others.
  • Students must practice respect and responsible stewardship of the physical resources of the school, refraining from destroying or defacing school property, integrating practices of sustainability, and contributing to a clean and orderly physical environment in all buildings, classrooms, offices, and meeting spaces.   
  • Students must comply with the personal misconduct responsibilities within the IU Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, & Conduct.

Reporting 

Students must abide by the O’Neill Student Honor Code themselves and hold their peers to the same standards. Students should report suspected instances of academic, civility, or professional misconduct to the instructor of the course. Students should report suspected instances of personal misconduct to the IU Office of Student Conduct.

 

Miscellaneous

 

Counseling and Psychological Services

For information about services offered to students by CAPS:  http://healthcenter.indiana.edu/counseling/index.shtml

 

TimelyCare

Indiana students have free, 24/7 access to virtual mental health care services with TimelyCare. Students do not need insurance to access TimelyCare services. https://www.iu.edu/mental-health/find-resources/timely-care.html#0

 

Religious Accommodation Requests

The "Request for Accommodation for Religious Observances" form must be submitted by the student to the professor no later than two weeks prior to the anticipated absence.  A separate form must be submitted for each absence and for each course. Faculty do not have to consider accommodations for the purpose of allowing students to travel away from Bloomington for religious observance.  Information about the policy is found here: https://vpfaa.indiana.edu/resources/religious-observances-information.html.

 

Accessible Educational Services (formerly Disability Services for Students) 

Securing accommodations for a student with disabilities is a responsibility shared by the student, the instructor, and the AES Office. For information about support services or accommodations available to students with disabilities, and for the procedures to be followed by students and instructors: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/student-support/iub-aes/index.html

 

Sexual Harassment 

As your instructor, one of my responsibilities is to help create a safe learning environment on our campus. Title IX and our own Sexual Misconduct policy prohibit sexual misconduct.  If you have experienced sexual misconduct, or know someone who has, the University can help.

 

If you are seeking help and would like to talk to someone confidentially, you can make an appointment with:

  1. The Sexual Assault Crisis Service (SACS) at 812-855-8900
  2. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 812-855-5711
  3. Confidential Victim Advocates (CVA) at 812-856-2469
  4. IU Health Center at 812-855-4011

 

For more information about available resources:  http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html. It is also important to know that federal regulations and University policy require me to promptly convey any information about potential sexual misconduct known to me to our campus’ Deputy Title IX Coordinator or IU’s Title IX Coordinator.  In that event, they will work with a small number of others on campus to ensure that appropriate measures are taken and resources are made available to the student who may have been harmed.  Protecting a student’s privacy is of utmost concern, and all involved will only share information with those that need to know to ensure the University can respond and assist.  I encourage you to visit http://stopsexualviolence.iu.edu/help/index.html to learn more.

 

IU Culture Centers: https://studentlife.indiana.edu/communities/culture-centers/index.html

 

[1] These expectations are excerpted from the O’Neill School Honor Code which can be found under Student Ethics and Policies: https://oneill.indiana.edu/undergraduate/course-advising/advising/resources.html