SOC205 PAPER

Week 3 Case Study 1 Submission

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Case Study 1: Understanding the Court System

Due Week 3 and worth 200 points

The U.S. Court System is a complex system that includes both federal and state-level courts. The federal system includes the judicial branch of the government. This system is designed to help society interpret the U.S. Constitution and provide guidelines for society. Court cases may concern many different topics and have an unlimited number of outcomes.

Use the Internet or Strayer databases to research a civil or criminal court case in which you are interested.

Write a five to eight (5-8) page paper in which you:

1. Summarize the seminal facts of the case that you chose.
2. Explain the main laws that have been violated in the case that you chose.
3. Describe the possible penalties that could be associated with the laws that you just described.
4. Explain whether your specific case was heard in the state or federal court system, and include any related jurisdictional requirements. Explain the fundamental reasons why it was necessary for the case to be heard in that particular court system.
5. Summarize the outcome of the case, and indicate whether the judge or jury made the decision.
6. Discuss whether or not you believe that the outcome of the case was justified. Provide a rationale for the response.
7. Use at least (3) quality academic resources. Note: Wikipedia and other websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• This course requires use of Strayer Writing Standards (SWS). The format is different than other Strayer University courses. Please take a moment to review the SWS documentation for details.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Examine the organizational frameworks and decision-making environment in the judicial process.
• Examine the rule of law in the American court system and in the judicial process.
• Detail the history and organization of the levels of the American court system and the issue of jurisdictional boundaries.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in the criminal court and the judicial process in America.
• Write clearly and concisely about the American court system using proper writing mechanics and SWS style conventions.

Grading for this assignment will be based on answer quality, logic / organization of the paper, and language and writing skills, using the

following rubric

.

SOC 205 – Society, Law, and Government

(Prerequisite: CRJ 100)

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course examines the function of the American court system in its operational role within the government, the rule of law, and society. The criminal court process and the role of the judiciary are explained from a policy-making perspective that reveals the impact of the courts on society and the rule of law in the evolution of social change.

INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

Required Resources

Carp, R. A., Stidham, R., & Manning, K. L. (2017). Judicial process in America (10th ed.).

Washington, DC: Congressional Quarterly, Inc.

Supplemental Resources

Baum, L., & White, J. B. (2006). Judges & Their Audiences: A Perspective on Judicial Behavior. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.

O’Brian, D. A. (2008). Storm Center: The Supreme Court in American Politics (8th ed.). New York: W.W. Norton & Company.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. Explain the rule of law in the American court system and in the judicial process.

2. Examine the organizational frameworks and decision-making environment in the judicial process.

3. Detail the history and organization of the levels of the American court system and the issue of jurisdictional boundaries.

4. Examine policy relationships between the branches of government and the citizenry.

5. Examine the current ethical issues inherent throughout the criminal and civil justice systems.

6. Explain the procedures prior and during criminal trial.

7. Describe the dispensation of justice through the criminal and civil justice systems.

8. Analyze judicial decision making and the impact of these decisions on law, precedent, and social policy.

9. Use technology and information resources to research issues in the criminal court and the judicial process in America.

10.

Write clearly and concisely about the American court system using proper writing mechanics and Strayer Writing Style.

WEEKLY COURSE SCHEDULE

The standard requirement for a 4.5 credit hour course is for students to spend 13.5 hours in weekly work. This includes preparation, activities, and evaluation regardless of delivery mode.

Week

Preparation, Activities, and Evaluation

Points

1

Preparation
· Reading
· Chapter 1: Foundations of Law in the United States
· e-Activity
· Read the article, “The Role and Functions of Law in Business and Society” located in the online course shell. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· None

20

2

Preparation
· Readings
· Chapter 2: The Federal Judicial System
· Chapter 3: State Judicial Systems
· Chapter 4: Jurisdiction and Policymaking Boundaries
· e-Activity
· Go to the Federal Judicial Center Website, located at http://www.fjc.gov/federal/courts.nsf/, and read “What the Federal Courts Do: How is a federal court different from a state court?” Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Quiz 1: Chapters 1-4

20
50

3

Preparation
· Readings
· Chapter 5: State Judges
· Chapter 6: Federal Judges
· e-Activity
· Using the Internet, go to the court system Websites of three (3) different states (your state included), and review the qualification, selection, and removal process for judges in each state. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Case Study 1: Understanding the Court System

20
200

4

Preparation
· Readings
· Chapter 7: Policy Links between the Citizenry, the President, and the Federal Judiciary
· Chapter 8: Lawyers, Litigants, and Interest Groups in the Judicial Process
· e-Activities
· Go to the Globe Business Publishing’s Lexology Website and read, “The Supreme Court’s DOMA decision: impact of the changing definition of ‘spouse’ on employee benefits” located at http://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=37e2274f-9440-40de-994b-c8777d8c05f3. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Quiz 2: Chapters 5-8

20
50

5

Preparation
· Reading
· None
· e-Activities
· Watch the video, “Legal vs. Moral Guilt: Frustrations Highlighted by Juror B29”, located at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/george-zimmerman-juror-29-interview-gma-frustrations-highlighted-19779656. Be prepared to discuss.
· Watch the video, “Zimmerman Juror: ‘My First Vote Was Second-Degree Murder’”, located at http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/george-zimmerman-juror-29-interview-gma-vote-degree-19779607. Be prepared to discuss.
· Read the article, “Texas voter ID law violates Voting Rights Act, court rules”, located at http://www.wfaa.com/news/local/texas-news/texas-voter-id-law-violates-voting-rights-act-court-rules/278074827. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Assignment 1: The State Judicial Selection Process

20
200

6

Preparation
· Readings
· Chapter 9: Crime and Procedures Prior to Criminal Trial
· Chapter 10: The Criminal Trial and Its Aftermath
· Chapter 11: The Civil Court Process
· e-Activity
· Go to the ESPN College Football Website and read the article titled, “Jerry Sandusky wants new trial”, located at http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8521309/jerry-sandusky-asks-judge-overturn-abuse-convictions-wants-new-trial. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Quiz 3: Chapters 9-11

20
50

7

Preparation
· Reading
· Chapter 12: Decision Making by Trial Court Judges
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· None

20

8

Preparation
· Readings
· Chapter 13: Decision Making in Collegial Courts
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· None

20

9

Preparation
· Reading
· Chapter 14: Implementation and Impact of Judicial Policies
· e-Activity
· Review the article titled, “Judicial Review”, located at https://nationalparalegal.edu/JudicialReview.aspx. Be prepared to discuss.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Case Study 2: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

20
200

10

Preparation
· Reading
· Chapter 15: Policymaking by American Judges: A Synthesis
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· None

20

11

Preparation
· Reading
· None
· e-Activity
· Review the article “Second Amendment does not apply to assault weapons: en banc 4th Circuit” at http://www.reuters.com/article/us-otc-guns-idUSKBN1612PU.
Activities
· Discussion
Evaluation
· Quiz 4: Chapters 12-15

50

GRADING SCALE – UNDERGRADUATE

Assignment

Total Points

% of

Grade

Quizzes (open book with a three-hour time limit)
(4 quizzes of up to 50 questions each)

200

20%

Assignment 1: The State Judicial Selection Process

200

20%

Case Study 1: Understanding the Court System

200

20%

Case Study 2: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag

200

20%

Participation (10 discussions worth 20 points apiece)
Note: Week 11 discussions are not graded.

200

20%

Total

1,000

100%

Points

Percentage

Grade

900 – 1,000

90% – 100%

A

800 – 899

80% – 89%

B

700 – 799

70% – 79%

C

600 – 699

60% – 69%

D

Below 600

Below 60%

F

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SOC 205 STUDENT GUIDE 1174 (3-15-2017) Page 2 of 5