Political Science 492

POSC 492
Mock Trial

1. Catalog Entry

POSC 492
Mock Trial

Credit hours (3)
Prerequisite: Junior/Senior Standing and instructor’s permission

Active exploration of legal research, courtroom etiquette, legal procedures and the trial and appellate processes.  Satisfies capstone requirement in the Law, Justice, and Society concentration.

2. Detailed Description of Course

In Mock Trial students work on a hypothetical civil or criminal case.  They prepare motions and learn the rules of evidence, how to examine witnesses, raise objections, prepare motions.  Emphasis is on critical reading and oral and written communications skills in preparation for a Mock Trial at the end of the semester.   Students in this class may choose to participate in Mock Trial competition with the permission of the instructor.  
         
Specific topics include:
    1) Sources of law
    2) Legal research, analysis, and writing
    3) Motion In Limine
    4) Rules of evidence
    5) Trial procedure, and
    6) Trial practice

3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Lecture, discussion, group work, student research, legal writing, and oral presentations during Mock Trial.

4. Goals and Objectives of the Course

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
    1) Identify and describe the sources of law, and their hierarchy, in our legal system. The focus will be on
        statutory and case law.
    2) Analyze and apply statutes.
    3) Analyze and brief cases.
    4) Apply the research, analysis and writing process through an assigned case memorandum.

5. Assessment Measures

Essays, quizzes, individual and group projects, motions and arguments, participation in class discussions.

6. Other Course Information

None

Review and Approval

June 20, 2015