As of 1.8.03
INTRODUCTION TO US LAW
SPRING 2003
PROFESSOR TONI M. FINE
Office: Room 1120/927
212/790-0361 (office)
212/477-4687 (home)
Office Hours:
Tuesday 11:00 - 12:00
Thursday 3:00 –4:00
[unless otherwise posted]
or
Send email for appointment
No "walk-ins" unless in emergency
CLASS MEETINGS AND ATTENDANCE
Introduction to US Law will begin during orientation week, and will continue during the regular spring semester, as indicated on the attached Schedule of Classes and Assignments. Other class meetings may be scheduled as the semester progresses.
Class attendance is expected and required. Points will be deducted from your final grade for absences that are not excused in advance of class.
Class will meet regularly as follows:
Monday, 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Room 1147
The schedule for class during the week of January 8 is set forth in the Orientation Schedule and the attached Schedule of Classes and Assignments.
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENTS
Each student is required to complete two written assignments for this course. These assignments will be distributed during orientation week.
CLASS PARTICIPATION
Students are expected to be prepared for class. Students will be called on randomly. Any student who will not be prepared is expected to notify me by email 5:00 p.m. on the day before class explaining why.
FINAL EXAMINATION
There will be an open book written final examination for this class that will be administered sometime before the regular law school examination period.
GRADING
Grades will be based on the following factors:
Written final examination (70%)
Participation in class (25%)
Written assignments (5%)
COURSE MATERIALS
Toni M. Fine, American Legal Systems: A Resource and Reference Guide (Anderson Publishing Co. 1997).
Toni M. Fine, Cases and Materials: Introduction to US Law (unpublished manuscript) (to be provided to students).
A NOTE ON THE READINGS
Readings should be completed in advance of the class session for which they are indicated. I also recommend that you review those readings again after class for reinforcement.
INTRODUCTION TO US LAW
PROFESSOR TONI M. FINE
SPRING 2003
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES AND ASSIGNMENTS
|
Date/Class Number |
Topic |
Assignment Due |
| Classes 1
& 2 (Room 211a) Wednesday, January 8 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Introduction to US Legal Systems | US
Constitution "The Federal Court System in the United States" "Issues of Democracy" (optional) American Legal Systems Chapters I, II, V, VI, VII, and VIII |
| Classes 3
& 4(Room 211a) Thursday, January 9 9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. |
Introduction to US Legal Systems (contd.) Case Reading and Synthesis Briefing a Case US Legal Education |
Cases and Materials Chapter 1 |
| Class 5 To Be Announced |
Common Law Methods |
American Legal Systems Chapters I and II Cases and Materials Chapter 2 |
| Class 6 Tuesday, January 21 |
Common Law Methods (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 2 |
| Class 7 Monday, January 27 |
Common Law Methods (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 2 |
| Class 8
and 9 Monday, February 3 |
Common
Law Methods (contd.) Tort Law – Line Drawing and State Law Variations |
Cases and Materials Chapter 3 |
| Class 10 Sunday, February 9 |
Tort Law
– Line Drawing and State Law Variations (contd.) Contract Law – The Role of Reasonableness |
Cases and Materials Chapter 3 |
| Class 11 Monday, February 10 |
Contract Law – The Role of Reasonableness (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 4 |
| Class 12 Monday, February 24 |
Contract Law -- The Role of Reasonableness (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 4 |
| Class 13 Monday, March 3 |
Taking a US Law School Exam | |
| Class 14 Monday, March 10 |
US Constitutional Law: Procedural Due Process | Cases and Materials Chapter 5 |
| Class 15 Monday, March 17 |
US Constitutional Law: Procedural Due Process (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 5 |
| Class 16 Monday, March 24 |
US Constitutional Law: Substantive Due Process | |
| Class 17 Monday, March 31 |
US Constitutional Law: Substantive Due Process (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 5 |
| Class 18 Monday, April 7 |
US Constitutional Law: Equal Protection | Cases and Materials Chapter 5 |
| Class 18 Monday, April 14 |
US Constitutional Law: Equal Protection (contd.) | Cases and Materials Chapter 5 |
Notes
Schedule and assignments subject to change.
Additional classes may be held at the discretion of the instructor or at the request of students.
The examination for this class will be scheduled before the regular Law School exam period, and hopefully shortly after the end of classes for Introduction to US Law. This will allow students to experience of taking a US law school exam well before your other exams take place. It will also give us the chance to discuss the exam before the normal exam period begins.
Depending on student schedules and the availability of rooms and proctors, the exam may be administered on an evening or a Sunday. Please let Professor Fine know immediately if you have a religious or other strong objection to having the exam scheduled on a Sunday.