Phl 347
Philosophy of Law -- Course Requirements

Evaluation:

Examinations (60%):

Examinations will be in the form of a small number of short-essay questions. At the end of the semester, you will have the option of selecting either a comprehensive or non-comprehensive final exam. If you choose the non-comprehensive final, then your final exam grade will constitute 20% of your course grade. If you take the comprehensive exam, then you will be given a two-part exam: the first can be used to replace your lowest midterm grade, and the second part will count for the final 20% of your course grade.

Participation (15%)

Class participation will be made up of three equal components: class attendance, section attendance, and activity in discussion. We will take roll both in class and in section. If you have an excused absence, please bring the relevant documentation to me or to your TA. Active, concise and relevant contributions (both in the form of questions and responses) are expected of each student. Contributions that are especially meritorious may earn extra credit.

Pop quizzes (10%):

Through the course of the semester, there will be between five and eight pop quizzes, covering some of the discussion topics listed for the coming weekÕs reading. See below for the list of discussion questions to prepare.

Moot court group project (15%):

Each discussion section will be responsible for a group presentation, in the form of a court case simulation. See below for details and dates.

Discussion sections will be responsible for the following dates and topics:
42215 (F 10) Feb 2 John Hinckley trial
42220 (F 11) Feb 14 Metro Broadcasting v. FCC 497 US 547
42225 (M 12) Feb 21 Grutter v. Bollinger 000 US 02-241 (2003)
42230 (F12) Mar 7 American Booksellers Association (7th Circuit 1985)
42235 (M 1) Mar 21 Griswold v. Connecticut 381 US 479
42240 (F 1) Apr 4 Lynch v. Donnelly 465 US 668
42245 (M 3) Apr 25 City of Boerne 200 US 321, 337
42250 (M 4) May 4 Fugitive Slave Cases: Thomas Sims, 7 Cushing 285 (Mass. 1851)
Each section must divide itself into three groups: one representing the prosecution (or plaintiff), one representing the defense, and one acting as the panel of appellate judges (or jury). Each of the three groups must elect a leader, with the leader of the panel of judges acting as the representative of the section as a whole. The group project will consist in two parts: (1) an oral presentation, given on the date indicating and in the format given below, and (2) a set of written materials, including texts for the speeches given, outlines of arguments to be made in rebuttal (legal briefs), notes for use in cross-examination, and written decisions (from the judges or jury).

Format for oral presentations

  1. Oral argument from the plaintiff/prosecution. 7 minutes
  2. Questions for the plaintiff by the judicial team. 3 minutes
  3. Oral argument from the defense. 7 minutes
  4. Questions for the defense by the judicial team. 3 minutes
  5. Final argument for the plaintiff/prosecution. 5 minutes
  6. Final argument for the defense. 5 minutes.
  7. Oral deliberation by members of the judicial team. 6 minutes
  8. Final vote, followed by class discussion. 14 minutes.

Written work

  1. Both the plaintiff and the defense team must send a final copy of their opening arguments to the other members of the section (including the judicial team) six days in advance of the presentation date (cc your TA as well).
  2. On the date of the presentation, all three teams should send a copy of their notes and rebuttal briefs to the sectionÕs TA.
  3. One week after the presentation date, the members of the judicial team must send a final copy of their decisions (including majority and minority and concurring opinions, if any) to the sectionÕs TA.

Grading and evaluation

One week after the presentation date, each student must give to the TA a confidential note evaluating the contribution of the other members of the studentÕs team. Prof. Koons and the TA will then arrive at an appropriate grade for each student, based on the overall quality of the teamÕs work and the evaluations of the studentÕs contribution by other team members. All evaluations are strictly confidential and will not be disclosed by the instructor to any other person. If it becomes clear that a team member contributed very little to the teamÕs project, that individual may be given a significantly reduced percentage of the teamÕs overall grade, e.g., 50% credit or less for very little work done).
Last updated January 12, 2006
Created by: Robert C. Koons
Send comments to: koons at mail

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