[ Home ] [ Up ]

Constitutional Law Syllabus

Course #5703-06

Professor Rice

The text for this class is "Modern Constitutional Law Cases and Notes" (8th Edition) by Ronald D. Rotunda (West Pub. Co.). I have also provided you with numerous reference materials on my website in order to complement the readings in the text. These materials can be accessed at http://www.utulsa.edu/law/classes/rice.  I sometimes add materials to the site, so you should review it for announcements. If you do not have access to a computer capable of accessing the internet, please see me after class to make arraignments to obtain these hypertext files on disk.

The purpose of this class is to acquaint you with the basic legal principles under-girding the American federal system of government. You will study the nature and powers of the Congress, the President, and the Courts, and the interplay of these federal authorities with each other, and the State governments. Other Constitutional issues (including most of the issues arising in the Amendments to the Constitution) are covered in other courses offered by the Law School.

A second purpose of the class is to continue the development of your ability to "think like a lawyer."  In learning the constitutional theory and doctrine upon which the American legal system is based, I expect you to further develop your ability to:

1. recognize and articulate subtle distinctions that are relevant to an "argument."

2. understand and articulate the internal logic of an "argument," and whether it is consistent or inconsistent with similar "arguments" previously made.

3. recognize and articulate the strengths and weaknesses of an "argument" independent of one's level of agreement with the "argument."

In addition to the case law and notes in the text, the website materials will provide you with various source documents and classical commentaries concerning the development, ratification, and early understanding of the principles supporting the American system of government. I expect you to become familiar with these principles, to be able to extract those principles from the cases we will study, and be able to apply those principles in a reasoned and disciplined manner to factual situations with which you are not familiar.

Grades: Your grade will be based primarily upon your performance on the final examination. Class attendance, preparation, and participation as well as your performance on written assignments which may be given will also count toward your final grade. After three absences or three days on which you are not prepared to participate meaningfully in the class discussions, I reserve the option of reducing your grade in the class. If you participate regularly in a prepared and meaningful way, I reserve the option of increasing your grade in class. Otherwise, your grade will be earned on any written assignments which may be made, and the final examination. I will do my best to get any written assignments back to you within two weeks. Active, prepared classroom participation is required.

I have given you my phone numbers and e-mail address so that you can contact me when and if you need to. You may, and are encouraged, to contact me whenever you wish. Please feel free to contact me at home if you want to discuss anything with me.  If I do not call you back, it is because I have not gotten your message, so please try again or send me an e-mail. I read my e-mails regularly, so that is the most sure way to get a question or message to me. 

Back To The Index