September 30, 2014

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Tuesday 9/30, I distributed one handout, my version of the Glucksberg case brief. We went over that case and brief, getting as far as the rational reasons for a ban on assisted suicide (which is where we'll pick up on Thursday). Along the way, we went over the organization of the federal court system, the concept of low and high hurdles for the government, and the concept of following precedent versus distinguishing precedent. The assignment for Thursday 10/2 is to read and do a case brief of the Speelman case (through p. 38 of the text). This brief is not to hand in or be graded, but it is important practice before our first graded case brief.

POS 484 CRIMINAL DUE PROCESS
In class today, Tuesday 9/30, I distributed one handout, Assignment #1, which is reproduced below. We first went over the Gates case, discussing both the majority decision and the dissent. We then began our discussion of Navarette, talking about the "reasonable suspicion" standard at issue there, and also going through the line-up of the Justices. The assignment for Thursday 10/2 is to work on the Navarette outline, due Tuesday 10/7.

Assignment #1, due Tuesday October 7, 2014

The assignment is to do an outline of Navarette v. California (distributed to the class 9/23).

Follow the format from the Sample Outlines that I’ve distributed. Your outlines will be evaluated on the format, as well as the specific content. Note that the basic format is Title (for the Roman numerals); and then Question and Answer for the other elements. Add elements to the outline as necessary in order to cover the points raised by the Justices and italicize those added elements. Outline both the majority and the dissenting opinions.

The assignment will be graded on both the structure and the content of your outline. The outline will also be graded on how well you write English, and how clearly you organize your thoughts. I like short clear sentences better than long complicated ones. I like correct grammar.

Please make two copies of your outline, one to hand in at the beginning of class, and the other for you to have during class for our discussion.

You may e-mail me if you have specific questions about the assignment. The more time that I have to answer your questions, the more likely it is that I can be helpful.

If you cannot be in class on Tuesday 10/7, you should still e-mail me your assignment by the beginning of class time. If you do that, you will not have any grade deducted from your grade for the outline. If you do not, you should still contact me as soon as possible to see what options are available to you. (Generally, I do not want to accept assignments after we have discussed them in class). See the Syllabus for the class rules regarding late papers.

The work should be entirely your own, with no collaboration or plagiarism. Do not show your paper to anyone. Do not look at anyone else’s paper. See the syllabus regarding plagiarism and collaboration.


IMPORTANT: If you e-mail your assignment to me, I will reply to confirm that I have received your assignment. If you do not get a reply, then I have not received the assignment.