JPS COURSE
OUTCOMES
Course: JUST 4720. Constitutional Law I
Description: Surveys the development of American constitutional law
that shapes the contemporary powers of governments in the United States.
Expected Learning Outcomes:
We expect students completing this course to be able to:
- identify and understand the
interaction of the three branches of the federal government.
- identify and discuss the
power and authority held and exercised by the three branches of the
federal government.
- comprehend the historical
development of the interpretation of the U.S. Constitution, including the
role of the U.S. Supreme Court.
- analyze present and future
constitutional interpretations.
- demonstrate oral advocacy
skills.
- demonstrate critical
thinking skills by:
- logically formulating
and evaluating solutions to problems and arguments in support of specific
positions.
- identifying
interrelationships among Supreme Court cases.
- identifying legal and
factual omissions and inconsistencies in Supreme Court cases.
- applying legal
authority to specific factual situations.
- distinguishing
between facts, arguments, public policy and law.
- recognizing the
potential legal and political ramifications of Supreme Court decisions.
- performing legal
analysis of Supreme Court decisions.
- comparing the Supreme
Court's majority, concurring and dissenting opinions.
- developing further
one's own political philosophy and developing an awareness of those with
differing political philosophies.