Exams

There will be two exams. The midterm will cover approximately the first half of the course and the final will cover the last half of the course. Each exam will consist of a set of terms. You will identify each term, discuss its significance, and discuss how we should respond to the idea. Each exam will be graded on a number scale (100 to 0). A study guide will be provided before each exam. Students absent on the examination days must provide a documented excuse (doctor’s note, etc.) 

Two Field Papers: 

Each student will attend both a legislative session and a court proceeding and report on their experiences. Papers will be graded on both form and content. The paper will be graded on a letter scale (A+ to F). Grades for late papers will be reduced one third grade for each day late with a maximum of one full grade reduction.

Class Participation

Thoughtful and reflective engagement in class discussion is an important part of this course. Reading American political news is required and you are expected to be prepared to offer your thoughts on the week’s news. You will also be expected to discuss the assigned reading and also to respond to the ideas of others. Students may be called on to discuss readings in class. Students will also participate in a mock constitutional convention and a constitutional amendment debate.

Formal Essay

Each student will complete and hand in a formal essay that will make a compelling argument about a constitutional amendment proposal. Papers will be graded on both form and content. The paper will be graded on a letter scale (A+ to F). Grades for late papers will be reduced one third grade for each day late with a maximum of one full grade reduction.