División de Derecho y Ciencias Sociales Departamento de Derecho Periodo : FALL 2009 Nombre del curso: INTRODUCTION TO U.S. LEGAL SYSTEM Línea Curricular: LICENCIATURA EN DERECHO Clave: DE-3085-01 Seriación: NINGUNA HTS: 3 HPS: 0 THS: 3 Créditos: 3 HTS: HORAS TEÓRICAS SEMANALES HPS: HORAS PRÁCTICAS SEMANALES THS: TOTAL DE HORAS POR SEMANA Idioma(s) en que se imparte el curso: INGLÉS Tipo(s) de Curso: PRESENCIAL. TEÓRICO-PRÁCTICO Objetivo y/o competencias generales del curso : This course introduces students to basic concepts of the Legal System of the United States of America, specifícally in the topics of Constitutional Law and History of the Common Law. It is designed to provide the students with an understanding of the structure of the U.S. legal system from a comparative perspective. Furthemore, it will introduce non-legally trained students to the workings of the U.S. legal system, so as to provide them with an advantage for the better understanding of the structure of the Mexican Legal System, especially of the General Principles of the Constitutional Law in Mexico. The course aims that the student identifyies the similarities and differences betweent the U.S. Legal System and the Mexican Legal System. The course is not, due to the complexity of the subject matter, exhaustive. The covered topics, which include historical insights and landmark cases, have been chosen in order to achieve the objectives of the course. This course also aims to help the students to better understand our neighboring country, by means of the study of a core subject in the history of this country, its legal system. The basic goal of the course is to contribute to the formation of the future lawyers, consequently it will aim to provide practical learnings and skills to the student Descripción de contenidos y calendarización: TIEMPO OBJETIVOS ESPECIFICOS TEMAS Y SUBTEMAS ACTIVIDADES I. Course overview. Half a class. (August 4) Introduce students to the course. Course objectives. Evaluation procedure. Brief personal presentation of the professor. Pag. 1 de9
Programa Analítico Course material. Agenda. Analysis of the course syllabus. II. English Law and the Common Law. 1 and a half week Understand the English Law as the (August 11 and background of the U.S. Legal System. 18) Provide a brief overview of the historical background of the Common Law. History of the Common Law of England. Lecture prepared by the instructor, will be based 1.Historical insights (Roman Empire, Celtics, Saxons and the Normand Conquest). 2.Common Law and Equity (separate systems merged by the Judicature Acts) 3. Sources of the English Law MORINEAU, Marta, Una introducción al Common Law, 2da Reimpresión, México, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, 2004, pp. 9 a 34. How law works; the nature of courts (online video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjsa7 ccitme Different legal systems within British law (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfqnt CdxghM The great strength of the English legal system (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lqlak EjhCE III. Constitutional History and Governmental Structure Lectures prepared by the instructor, will be based 1 to 36, 326 to 337. Realize the Constitution as the Supreme Law of the United States of America. 3 weeks (August 25, September 1 and 8) Identify the Three Branches of Government, their powers and their interrelations. Recognize the legal implications of federalism. A. History and Government structure 1. Constitutional History 2. The Government structure provided for in the 1789 Constitution. 3. Separation and Balance of Power among the branches of Federal Government. 4. The States and Federalism. 5.- The Impact of Governmental Structure on the Legal System: An Overview. ARAUJO, Jess J., The Law and Your Legal Rights / La Ley y Sus Derechos Legales, Fireside, 1998, pp. 21 to 24. The Background of United States Constitution (clip) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5nos qrkq3s American Government: The Constitutional Convention (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9w3 RHmfqO8&NR=1 American Government: Basic Principles of the Constitution (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuur6 RC-ae4 American Government: Roots of Federalism (on-line video) Revisión No. 1 21/01/2005 Pag. 2 de9
Programa Analítico http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uesnv FGerBM American Government: How Congress is Organized (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeh9p EYRJrg American Government: Six Main Presidential Powers (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyqh deoygye First evaluation (September 8th): Reading assignment. Topic to be defined by the instructor on August th 18, 2009. IV. The Origins of Judicial Review Understand the basis for the exercise of judicial review in the United States under Article III of the Constitution. Be aware the history of constitutional law and the Supreme Court. A. The origins of Judicial Review 1. Marbury vs. Madison The setting of the case 2. The opinion of the court. 3. Review of state Laws 4. State Court review Series, 2007, chapter 1. International Law Institute, 1995, p. 139 to 145. (September 15) 314 to 318. American Government: Judicial Review (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=si05w k2ga5e The Supreme Court - Marbury v. Madison (on-line videos) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gv2jpz Wg1tY&feature=related V. Sources of National Authority and the Federal Commerce Power (September 22) Understand the allocation of powers within a constitutional framework A. Sources of National Authorithy 1. McCulloch vs. Maryland and the basis of federal power. 2. The separation of powers principle. 3. Sources of Federal power 4. Term Limits on Federal Legislators. Series, 2007, pp. 67 to 76, 197 to 209 B. The Federal Commerce Power Revisión No. 1 21/01/2005 Pag. 3 de9
1. The Commerce Clause its origin and development. 2. Judicial Interpretations of the Commerce Power Prior to 1888 (Gibbons vs. Ogden) International Law Institute, 1995, p. 139 to 145. McCullough v Maryland (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3- wf5pwrg2u&feature=related VI. Individual Liberties An Overview Court Case: McCulloch vs. Maryland (online video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcms VTiXozk (September 29) Think critically about the balance between individual rights and the need for law and order. Individual Liberties 1. Guarantees in the original text of the Constitution. 2. The Bill of Rights Provisions and their Incorporation in the Fourteenth Amendment. 3. The Privileges and/or Immunities Clauses. 4. Which Individuals are protected by the Constitutional Guarantees? 5. Procedural Due Process versus Substantive Review. 6. The Equal Protection Clause 7. Substantive Due Process. Series, 2007, pp. 210 to 224. ARAUJO, Jess J., The Law and Your Legal Rights / La Ley y Sus Derechos Legales, Fireside, 1998, pp. 21 to 24. American Government: Civil Liberties and the Bill of Rights (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bgtnj ozge_8 VII. Procedural Due Process Series, 2007, pp. 320 to 369. (October 6) Know the constitutional limitations on law enforcement and the constitutional rights of citizens who face investigation, trial, or punishment. Procedural Due Process The requirement of fair adjudicative procedures 1. Deprivations of Life, Liberty or Property for which some Process is due. Landmark case: Roe v. Wade 314 to 318. International Law Institute, 1995, p. 464 to 477. A DVD History of the U.S. Constitution- Roe v. Wade (on line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_ief YjzljQ&feature=related Pag. 4 de9
Second evaluation (October 13) Moot Court Competition. Topic to be defined on September 22 nd, 2009. VIII. EQUAL PROTECTION (October 20) A. Equal protection 1. Introduction to Equal Protection Analysis Application to State and Federal Acts. 2.- Establishing and Testing Classifications of a Law On its face, in its application, or in its purpose and Effect Cases: Brown vs. Board of Education, Michael vs. Superior Court of Sonoma County. Series, 2007, pp. 373 to 386. 340 to 350. International Law Institute, 1995, p. 517 to 521, and 546 to 550. IX. FREEDOM OF SPEECH (October 27) Understand legal reasoning and theories of constitutional interpretation regarding the freedom of speech. A. Freedom of speech 1. Regulation of speech based on its content note on the purposes of the first amendment and the tolerance of different political views. 2.- Regulation of speech based on time, place, or manner. 3. Modern problems in free speech methodology. 355 to 374. International Law Institute, 1995, p. 573 to 599. Cases: New York Times v. Sullivan Bernes v. Glen Theatres. Craig Ferguson, "If you don't vote, you're a " (on-line video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdrv Q4xwwmQ X. RELIGIOUS FREEDOMS (November 3) A. Freedom of religion 1. The Establishment Clause 2.- The Free Exercise Clause 3. The Natural Antagonism Between the two clauses 374 to 382. Pag. 5 de9
Series, 2007, pp. 764 to 812. Third evaluation (November 10) XI. CONSTITUTIONAL CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (November 17) A. Limitations on investigative techniques and apprehension of suspects. B. Search and seizure C. Whether a search is reasonable. 276 to 290. Miranda Rights: Criminal Law FindLaw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2un8 sghaj8 FINAL EVALUATION (December 8th) Método Pedagógico empleado : 1. Lectures. 2. Active participation of students, both individually and in group. 3. Online documentation and handouts provided by the instructor. Recursos Didácticos Fechas de exámenes: Primer parcial: TUESDAY September 8th, 2009. Segundo Parcial: TUESDAY October 13th, 2009. Tercer Parcial: TUESDAY November 10th, 2009. Final: TUESDAY December 8th, 2009, at 8 a.m. Políticas del curso Pag. 6 de9
Programa Analítico As course requirement, the students are responsible for completing all readings listed in the syllabus prior to the date for which they are assigned. CLASS ATTENDANCE- Classes will begin at 7:00am, therefore, if a student fails to attend class on time, he/she will be considered absent. Arrivals after 7:20 am are taken as ABSENTS. In the event that a student has more than two absences per course, the student will be denied the right to take an examination. Absences may only be justified due to extracurricular activities notified and duly signed by the Academic Program Director. Punctuality is crucial for lawyers. Fifteen percent of each partial grade depends on punctuality and participation in class. ASSIGNMENTS- In order to be graded, assignments shall be rendered on time and in the date requested by the professor (even those from students with justified absences); otherwise, they shall receive the minimum grade established by the University s official policies. All class activities shall be rendered within the duration of the class, unless otherwise specified by the professor. For homeworks, if no date has been formerly established, it shall be understood to have been assigned for the following class as determined in the University s official calendar. All assignments shall be conducted in English language, unless Spanish is especifically requested. EXAMINATIONS- The use of an English-Spanish dictionary is permitted during examinations, but no legal dictionaries are allowed (whereas in class, the use of legal dictionaries is highly recommended). In addition to the official examinations established by the University, the professor is entitled to establish other examinations with no prior notice. Grades shall be released to students at a maximum of two weeks after the examination date or the date of delivery of any written submission, unless the students are otherwise notified in writing. Any doubt or clarification concerning the student s grades or the assessment of course work shall be discussed directly with the professor the following session after such grades have been conferred. Unauthorized communication during examinations is strictly forbidden whether it be orally or with the use of electronic equipment. This and any other attempt of dishonest behavior will be considered as misconduct. MISCONDUCT- Misconduct will entitle the professor to grade the student with a zero for the corresponding period. Misconduct includes, among other things: cheating; plagiarism (reproducing in, or submitting for assessment of, any examination the work of another person, whether in whole or in part and whether with or without the knowledge of the other person or without proper attribution of the other person); the submission of any work previously submitted for an examination from another course or unit of study ; failing to comply with the University's instructions to students in relation to taking an examination; and/or acting, or assisting another person to act, dishonestly in connection with an examination or assignment in any form. COMMUNICATION- Instructions and assignments may be given orally in class or in writing through the campus pipeline email. In any case, students are considered formally notified when communication is performed by such means. Please certify that you have available space in your inbox at all times Políticas de Evaluación del curso: Revisión No. 1 21/01/2005 Pag. 7 de9
Programa Analítico NOTA: Deberán estar alineadas a las Políticas y Reglamentos de Evaluación de alumno de acuerdo al nivel correspondiente, Profesional o Posgrado Profesor Ana Teresa Carrión Calificación Parcial Calificación Final Investigaciones y/o tareas Prácticas y exámenes rápidos Examen Parcial Total (100%) 3 Parciales 15% 15% 70% 100% 70% Trabajo Final Examen Final Total (100%) 30% 100% Datos Generales del(de los) Profesor(es): Nombre Lic. Ana Teresa Carrión Teléfono Ubicación 4777 1000, EXT. 1076 (Santos-Elizondo-CantúRivera-González-De la Garza-Mendoza, S.C.) Aula de Asesorías UDEM Correo E Hrs. de Asesoría acarrionchavarria@udem Saturdays from 11a.m. to.net 1p.m. Prior appointment terecarrion@gmail.com is required Bibliografía básica y complementaria : THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES States, 4th ed.thomson West, 2006. Law, 3d Edition, Concise Hornbook Series, 2007. GARNER, Bryan A (ed. in chief), Black's Law Dictionary, Third Pocket edition, Thomson West, 2001. MORINEAU, Marta, Una introducción al Common Law, 2da Reimpresión, México, Instituto de Investigaciones Jurídicas, 2004. International Law Institute, 1995. ARAUJO, Jess J., The Law and Your Legal Rights / La Ley y Sus Derechos Legales, Fireside, 1998. FEINMAN, Jay M., Introducción al derecho de los Estados Unidos de América, Ed. Oxford, 2003. HALE, Matthew. The History of the Common Law in England (Classics of British Historical Literature) (Paperback), Charles M. Gray (Editor). Roman Law and Common Law: A Comparison in Outline (Paperback) by W. W. Buckland (Author), Arnold D. McNair (Author). William Blackstone: Law and Letters in the Eighteenth Century (Hardcover) by Wilfrid Prest (Author). The Common Law of Colonial America: Volume I: The Chesapeake and New England 1607-1660 (Hardcover) by William E. Nelson (Author). Revisión No. 1 21/01/2005 Pag. 8 de9
The Federalist Papers (Signet Classics) (Mass Market Paperback) by Alexander Hamilton (Author), James Madison (Author), John Jay (Author), Clinton Rossiter (Author), Charles R. Kesler (Editor). Madison's Nightmare: How Executive Power Threatens American Democracy (Hardcover) by Peter M. Shane Firma de autorización Pag. 9 de9