Instructor: Dr. Daniel W. Skubik, PhD JD
Office: J266 / Office Hours as scheduled
Voice: 951.343.4288 / Fax: 951.343.4520
Web: http://www.calbaptist.edu/dskubik
E-Mail: dskubik@calbaptist.edu
Special Topics in Political
Science:
Moot Court
POL 400 [Special Topics]
MWF 1:00-1:50PM
This special topics course provides opportunity for
students to develop beginning practical legal research, writing and oral
presentation skills. Competitive teams will be formed to research a significant
legal problem in civil or criminal law, write an appellate brief on one side of
the case, and orally argue in front of a panel of lawyers and judges from the
local legal community.
By the end of this course,
students should be able to:
1) Use Lexis/Nexis
and other online databases to research legal issues
2) Use a law library and other
hardcopy repositories to research legal issues
3) Prepare a proper legal brief for
submission to an appellate court
4) Orally argue one side of a civil
or criminal case of significance
The course is open to all students able and willing to engage in
advanced study, and can be used to fulfill undergraduate Political Science
major or minor upper division unit requirements, and can be applied to the
pre-law concentration, for approved students.
Required Text
Laurel Oates, Anne Enquist & Connie Krontz, Just
Briefs 2nd ed (Wolters
Kluwer/Aspen Publishers, 2008)
Recommended, but not required: Mary Beth Beazley, A Practical Guide to Appellate Advocacy 2nd ed (Aspen Publishers, 2006); Bryan Garner (ed.), Blacks Law Dictionary (any edition will
be beneficial); and a hardcopy or online subscription to The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (available for $25/yr at
http://www.legalbluebook.com/).
Readings & Assignments Schedule
|
Week #1 |
Introduction to course, requirements and
expectations |
|
Week #2 |
Introduction to legal research (in class) |
|
Week #3 |
Introduction to legal research (in law
library & online) |
|
Week #4 |
25th First research exercise
due in written form |
|
Week #5 |
Oral argument practice continues |
|
Week #6 |
Appellate Brief writing |
|
Week #7 |
Appellate Brief writing |
|
Week #8 |
Appellate Brief writing |
|
Week #9 |
Midterms week [date of midterm to be decided by class consensus or vote; |
|
Week #10 |
Legal Research on major projects (in law
library & online) |
|
Week #11 |
Spring Break |
|
Week # 12 |
Legal Research on major projects (in law
library & online) |
Week #13 |
29th Oral assignments
determined |
|
Week #14 |
5th Easter Break; no class
meeting |
|
Week #15 |
12th Debriefing session |
|
Week #16 |
Debriefing session |
|
Monday, Apr 26 |
Final Examination period, as set by
University |
Assessment & Grading Scale
|
Midterm Exam = 10% |
90 - 100 = A range (90-94 = A-) |
|
Participation = 15% |
80 - 89 = B range (80-83 = B-
/ 87-89 = B+) |
|
First research exercise = 15% |
70 - 79 = C range (70-73 = C-
/ 77-79 = C+) |
|
Brief Writing Project = 30% |
60 - 69 = D range (60-63 = D-
/ 67-69 = D+) |
|
Final Oral Argument = 30% |
0 - 59 = F |
Midterm Examination
The midterm exam will be wide-ranging
in nature, with an emphasis on analytical and research skills that together
draw from the full scope of our exercises and readings. The exam is closed
book/closed notes.
Research Exercise
A research, writing and oral
presentation exercise will be set early in the semester. Teams will be formed
to handle the various issues of research, writing and oral presentation.
Brief Writing & Oral Argument Project
A major research, writing and oral advocacy case will
be presented late in February. Teams will be formed to handle the various
issues surrounding research and writing of the brief, and preparing for oral
advocacy before a panel of lawyers and judges.
Participation & Attendance
Regular attendance and
participation are required to succeed in this course. Students are occupied
with the major workload of the course; the instructor acts more as a resource
person and guide than as a traditional lecturer.
To give direct incentive to engage, 15% of your mark for the course will be comprised of my assessment of your participation during the semester. Participation includes substantive contributions in-class to our discussions on a regular basis as well as out-of-class research and writing activities; it does not include attendance (which is expected since mandated by the University).
CBU Statement on Academic Dishonesty
Faculty in the College of Arts &
Sciences (CAS) have been asked to
include the following statement in all our syllabi. Do speak with your
instructor if at any time you have questions or concerns about this statement
and its meaning for or application in your classes.
Academic dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, copying,
and other forms) will be reported to the Dean of Students. Judicial sanctions
for offense are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on the seriousness of
the violation, prior violations and other factors. Judicial sanctions may
include, but are not limited to, loss of a letter grade or failure in the
course in which the offense occurred, suspension, and/or dismissal from the
University. A detailed discussion of academic dishonesty is located in the
Student Handbook.
Source: 2009-2010 Undergraduate University Catalog, at
p.53
Caveat
This syllabus schedule is
composed in good faith, with a schedule of readings and assignments that will
guide us throughout the term. Still, the instructor reserves the right to make
adjustments to this schedule as deemed necessary for the overall enterprise of
the course. Any changes will be communicated as far in advance as feasible, and
you are responsible for knowing if and when any changes have been made.