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WE, THE JURY
(find the defendant…)
A 10-credit coordinated study integrating
CMST& 220
and
POLS& 200
______
10:00 – 12:05 Monday – Thursday 10/103 Fall 2013
______
Laura Manning Joy Smucker
Communication Studies Instructor Law / Political Science Instructor
Phone: 206-592-4037 Phone: 206-592-3856
Office: Bldg. 18, Room 202 Office: Bldg. 9, Room 214
Office Hours: 12:15-1:30 M-Th Office Hours: 9-10 M-Th
[and we are happily available by appointment at other times]
Special information literacy component of the course provided by:
Jack Harton
Reference Librarian
Phone: 206-592-3806
Office: Bldg 25, Room 416
and at the Reference Desk at the Library (Bldg 25)
"...because there has been implanted in us the power to persuade each other and to make clear to each other whatever we desire, not only have we escaped the life of wild beasts, but we have come together and founded cities and made laws and invented arts; and generally speaking, there is no institution devised by man which the power of speech has not helped us to establish."
from "Antidosis," Isocrates, trans. by George Norlin (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1929; reprinted 1956), II, p. 327-329.
QUESTION FOR THOUGHT: Does law ever stand in the way of justice? Do you believe it is okay to defy the law under certain circumstances? What evidence can you offer to argue for your position?
WHAT IS THIS COURSE ABOUT?
Quite simply, our major goal is simply to inspire you to become more compassionate and effective participants in our society. We think of civics and civility as being intertwined and integrated with knowledge about the law and communication.
Students pursuing a Paralegal Degree or a post-Bachelor’s Law Degree will find that addressing their POLS& 200 (Introduction to Law) and CMST& 220 (Public Speaking) degree requirements concurrently will help them relate legal concepts and procedures directly to building communication skills with lawyers, clients and others in the legal system. Other students interested in the law will find that this class focuses their communication skills and provides them with opportunities to engage in interpersonal interaction, group discussion, and public speaking on current legal topics.
WHAT IS A “COORDINATED STUDIES” CLASS?
This is a special kind of class, incorporating two usually separately taught fields of study – this is a coordinated studies course. In "We, the Jury," core concepts usually taught more abstractly in Political Science and Communication will instead be taught by exploring legal and communication issues together in applied contexts.
Specific areas to be addressed include: issues of justice; the effectiveness of our executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government; effective legal research and writing; and our legal rights and responsibilities. Students will learn about the communication skills that are used in the legal system, some that are effective and some that are ineffective.
Students will also learn the communication skills and theory necessary to research, articulate, speak out about, and discuss these legal issues in meaningful and respectful ways. Students will learn how to listen to others and to share opinions in ways that engage rather than attack or avoid. Ideally, you will develop positive relationships with a cohort of students who will support one another throughout your educational journeys here!
WHAT EXACTLY WILL WE LEARN IN THIS COURSE?
TOPICS OF STUDY:
Our topics of study will include:
/ · Public Speaking Basics: working individually, in pairs, and in groups to choose and narrow topics, develop high quality supporting material, and deliver effective extemporaneous speeches; informative and persuasive organizational formats; supportive audience behaviors; and critical listening.· Legal Basics: the Constitution and Amendments; the three branches of government; the American legal system; and introduction to substantive areas of criminal and civil law. /
/ · Comfort with Differing Points of View: critical thinking; methods of dispute resolution; elements of debate; conflict management in group settings; and where and how disputes are resolved in the legal system.
/ · Politics in 2013: How are we getting our information? What does the president do? Who are your local, state, and federal legal representatives and what do you know about them? If you have a legal problem, what do you know about attorneys, and how the courts work? Can we use law to make a difference on this campus, in this city, county, state, country, world?
The following are course objectives specific to the legal course, course objectives specific to the public speaking course, and information literacy goals. These are followed by objectives made possible because of the combined nature of this “We, the Jury” coordinated study course.
OBJECTIVES RELATED TO LEGAL COMPETENCE:
In this course, you will learn about the law. You will:
· Develop an understanding of the judicial system -- understanding that it is intended to both serve the individual and establish precedent for the benefit of society within a global context.
· Develop knowledge of where to look for laws and cases, distinguishing between civil and criminal law.
· Analyze the concept of checks and balances and the evolution of the relationships between the three branches of government.
· Apply legal reasoning and ethics to legal disputes and analyze appropriate legal remedies.
· Better understand how laws and the legal system can help people seek access to justice – understanding how to use the law, as well as how to protest/change it to effect modern day reform in response to contemporary societal issues.
· Understand the electoral process, politics and the legal system. Make a choice to be a part of the process; know how your elected officials, legislative, executive, and judicial affect your life and the lives of those around you.
OBJECTIVES RELATED TO PUBLIC SPEAKING COMPETENCE:
In this course, you will learn about public speaking. You will:
· Learn theories of public speaking, and apply these theories by developing and delivering a variety of public speeches.
· Demonstrate principles of information literacy, including correct incorporation of highly-credible, multifaceted supporting material into public presentations.
· Analyze and improve speech organization and delivery through studying recordings of your performances.
· Learn to develop and use audio-visual aids effectively.
OBJECTIVES RELATED TO INFORMATION LITERACY COLLEGE WIDE OUTCOMES:
In this course, you will learn about information literacy. You will:
· Identify, locate, and retrieve information relevant to a research need.
· Evaluate the quality of the information found.
· Analyze, evaluate, and synthesize the information.
· Use the information ethically and legally.
· Understand, recognize, and avoid common logical fallacies in informative and persuasive communication.
OBJECTIVES COMBINING LEGAL AND COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE:
In this course, you will learn how to think and communicate more critically about the law. You will:
· Become conversant in the differences between and integration of the three branches of government; procedural and substantive law; civil and criminal law; and state, federal, and world law.
· Become conversant about the importance of laws to our society – how much they make possible, and how destructive they can be.
· Develop a sense that there is usually no black-and-white wrong/right answer in the law (i.e., there is much that is gray).
· Show openness to discussion with others who do not share your interpretation of justice, politics, and the law (learn to engage, rather than attack or avoid).
· Develop the ability to gracefully, respectfully, and powerfully defend your own legal and political convictions.
WHAT LEARNING TOOLS/TEACHING METHODS WILL MY INSTRUCTORS USE?
Instructional methods used in this course will include lecture, class discussion, small group discussion and projects, public speaking assignments, reading assignments, writing assignments, guest speakers, court visits, out-of-class library (and perhaps community) research, films/videos, multiple-format quizzes and exams, etc.
As a way to better integrate these topics, there will be a significant amount of group work. Attendance is important in any college class and when group work is significant, attendance impacts not only your own education but the education of others in your group. Learning how to be respectful of others, supporting one another in groups, and showing up for group activities are all part of communication excellence and being a member of a legal team.
WHAT TEXTS AND OTHER RESOURCES WILL HELP ME LEARN IN THIS COURSE?
REQUIRED COURSE “TEXTS”:
· Rothwell, J. D. (2013). In the Company of Others (4th Ed.). New York: Oxford University Press.
· 3-ring binder (with 1-inch spine or so) that you will fill with legal texts and resources that will be handed out in class, or that you download and print
· a pack of lined index cards (4x6)
· Journal notebook (provided in class)
INTERNET-BASED COURSE RESOURCES:
· We have a course site on Angel. The site is available to all students enrolled in “We, the Jury.” The site is accessed at http://angel.highline.edu/default.asp and/or through the Angel link on the Highline Community College homepage (www.highline.edu).
· Jack has also created a special “We the Jury” website, featuring a wide array of legal research resources. (Jack rocks.) You can find this page under the “Resources” tab on our course Angel site. [See the “Cool Sites” to help you in this class.]
WHAT ELSE IS AVAILABLE AT HIGHLINE TO HELP ME MAXIMIZE MY SUCCESS HERE?
ADDITIONAL CAMPUS RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS:
ANGEL ASSISTANCE:
To log in to your Angel account, point your browser to http://angel.highline.edu. Log in using your myHCC Username and Password. For assistance, see the myHCC Information page (http://helpdesk.highline.edu/myHCC.php)and the handy video introduction (http://flightline.highline.edu/jward/Angel%20Videos/Activate%20myHCC/Activate%20Your%20myHCC.html).
LIBRARY
The HCC Library provides a large selection of print and electronic resources; as well as a large media collection covering a wide variety of subjects. Librarians are available to assist with research in person, by telephone or by email. A Highline ID card is required to checkout library materials. Additional information can be found at: http://library.highline.edu . The library is located in Building 25.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTERS:
HCC’s tutoring centers are available to all students. Located in Building 26, Room 319. See http://tutoring.highline.edu .
WRITING CENTER:
The Writing Center provides one-on-one sessions, writing workshops and handouts to help with writing skills. Call (206) 592-4364 or stop by Building 26, Room 319. For more information, see the Writing Center website at http://flightline.highline.edu/writingcenter.
ACCESS SERVICES:
At Highline Community College, we are committed to delivering one of the core values of our institution: access. In an effort to provide education to all those who seek it, Access Services at Highline Community College supports and assists students with disabilities with campus and classroom accommodations. Access Services is located in Building 99, Room 150-185. 206-592-3857 You can access it from Pacific Highway, where there is plenty of parking. See http://flightline.highline.edu/access.
AS A STUDENT, WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES?
ACADEMIC HONESTY:
Highline Community College has an established academic honesty policy. It is expected that all students will perform their work with integrity and pride. Cheating, plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty are unacceptable at Highline Community College and may result in lowered grades and/or disciplinary action. Faculty are encouraged to report all instances of academic dishonesty to Highline’s Student Services office. Further information regarding this policy may be found in WAC 1321-120, the Students Rights and Responsibility Code.
CULTURAL DIVERSITY POLICY:
Highline Community College actively promotes and supports a learning environment which ensures social justice, mutual respect, understanding, civility, and non-violence. Highline Community College is committed to the elimination of discrimination based on gender, race, class, economic status, ethnic background, sexual orientation, age, physical ability, and cultural and religious backgrounds. Violations should be reported to your instructors and/or to Toni Castro, Vice-President of Student Services/Chief Student Affairs Officer ().
USE OF PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY DURING CLASSTIME:
You, those around you, and your instructors all tend to be distracted by the use of personal technology during class time. We believe the most productive classroom environment is one where our collective learning does not have to compete with the seductiveness of technology at your fingertips.
· Please keep your laptops closed and music players and other entertainment devices off during class time. We prefer that you take notes the old-fashioned way, please. All of us will learn more if your full attention is on what's happening inthe classroom as we construct knowledge together. (Sue Frantz, HCC Psychology instructor, notes that studies show that the single most distracting thing in class is someone else’s open laptop!)
· Please use the time before class, during our daily break, or after class for texting. If you receive an emergency text orphone messageduring class, quietly step outside the classroom to handle it, and hurry back please.
Violations of these courtesy considerations will result in you being marked absent for the day, and you will be asked to desist, or leave class for the day. We want you here, now!
If you need COURSE ACCOMMODATIONS because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with the instructor, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please provide the instructors with the Letter of Accommodation you have received from the Office of Access Services.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: If a campus emergency that poses risk to students occurs, please be prepared to immediately follow the instructions of your Instructors. Do not exit the classroom until instructed to do so. If building evacuation is required, you will be asked to leave all of your non-essential personal belongings in the classroom and quickly, yet orderly and safely, exit the classroom, and the building. As the last people to exit, your instructors will lock the classroom door behind them.
HOW WILL I BE GRADED?
GRADE COMPONENTS [due dates (subject to change with notice)]:
Partner introduction speech (credit / no credit) [9/25 and 9/26] 25
Individual outline for statute speech [10/10] 25
Partner outline for statute speech [10/17] 25
Partner statute speech [10/21 and 10/22] 50 100 (total)
Individual outline for case law speech [11/05] 50
Group outline for case law speech [11/12] 25
Group case law speech [11/13 and 11/14] 75 150 (total)
Individual outline (including ppt) for legal persuasive speech [11/27] 75
Individual legal persuasive speech [12/02-12/05] 125 200 (total)