Intro to law

Course Syllabus Spring of 2005

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Instructor: Michael J. Bootsma

Contact Information: Phone: 712-348-4727 or 319-248-3194

email: Michael-bootsma@uiowa.edu – Don’t use my Kirkwood phone number or email address!!!!

Catalog Number: LA150T & Section: 10218

Class Time: 3:00 -- 4:50pm on Tuesday and 3:00 - 3:50pm on Thursday

Location: IC

Text: Understanding the Law, Carper and West, Fourth Edition. This class will cover the first 14 chapters of the book.

Course Objective: To provide students with a general understanding of American jurisprudence.

Class Schedule: Hopefully, we can cover at least one chapter each week in order to have additional time for extra material and/or review sessions. In the event that you miss a class, contact another student or the instructor(by email) to find out what the next assignment is.

Grading: There will be three tests during the semester worth 100 points each. The first test will occur after we have completed chapter four in the textbook. The second test will occur alter chapter 8 is completed. The third test will occur after chapter 11 is completed. At the end of the semester there will be a final worth 150 points, which will be 65— 75% comprehensive. The final will cover chapters 1 - 14 and any additional material we cover. PLEASE NOTE: The syllabus and tests schedules are subject to change. The format of tests will include multiple choice, short answer questions and other objective formats(oof).

There will also be 200 points for writing and attendance. These 200 points will consist of a sixty- five-point memo and thirty-five points of writing assignments and unannounced quizzes. The memo will be due Tuesday March 8, 2005. There are no makeup tests. In the event that a family emergency or another emergency arises, I will average the last test you took and the next test you complete to come up with a grade for the test that you missed. However, quizzes cannot be made up and for each day your memo is late, I will subtract six points.

Class Attendance: Students should do the reading assignments before attending class. Reading occupies only an hour out of your life, and will make class a whole lot more productive for both you and me. I will call on students to answer questions during class if no one volunteers. Outstanding class participation by students will result in an upward adjustment in the student’s grade at the end of the semester. Besides missing unannounced quizzes there is no penalty for not attending class. However, one should keep in mind that if you routinely miss class, I am not going to be interested in helping you with the material during office hours or any other time.

Office Hours: Arranged per request of a student.

Website: Course materials will be posted on http://bootsmam.tripod.com. Notice that it’s my last name and first initial. “mam” not “man.”

Academic Dishonesty: Anyone caught cheating will be immediately reported to the Dean of Kirkwood Community College. A word to the wise: if you can think of it I have probably already seen it.

Grading Scale:

A = 93-100

A- = 90-92

B+ = 87-89

B = 83-86

B- = 80-82

C+ = 77-79

C = 73-76

C- = 70-72

D+ = 67-69

D = 63-66

D- = 60-62

F = 59 and Below

First Assignment: Send an email to me at Michael-bootsma@uiowa.edu. In the subject line put: “Intro to Law at Kirkwood.” This assignment is to be completed by the second day of class.