Faculty First Year Seminars 197CR6 - Orange is the new Black - 6
Fall
2014
01
1.00
Jennifer Merton
TH 2:30PM 3:20PM
UMass Amherst
79670
This is a wonderful opportunity to use the Common Read book, Orange is the New Black, to explore the role that lawyers play in our criminal justice system.
I envision that we will begin the class by looking at how criminal statutes are enacted (with an emphasis on modern drug laws at the state and federal level and the role that lawyers play in policy development and the legislative process.) Next, the class will explore the role of the lawyer at the arrest and bail stages, the plea bargain stage, the motions stage, and, finally, the trial stage of the criminal system. The class will then look at the role lawyers play in the appeals process. Last, the role that lawyers play in safeguarding incarcerated inmates will be examined. The importance of advocacy in our system will be a primary focus, with opportunities for students to engage in various forms of advocacy. Case Law, Statutes, and other legal sources will be utilized, as well as readings from literature, the social sciences, philosophy, and business. Film excerpts will also be incorporated into the class. This course will provide students with research and writing opportunities, along with instruction in the use of various communication technologies (allowing students to engage in hands on learning about website design, blogs, and social media.)
I envision that we will begin the class by looking at how criminal statutes are enacted (with an emphasis on modern drug laws at the state and federal level and the role that lawyers play in policy development and the legislative process.) Next, the class will explore the role of the lawyer at the arrest and bail stages, the plea bargain stage, the motions stage, and, finally, the trial stage of the criminal system. The class will then look at the role lawyers play in the appeals process. Last, the role that lawyers play in safeguarding incarcerated inmates will be examined. The importance of advocacy in our system will be a primary focus, with opportunities for students to engage in various forms of advocacy. Case Law, Statutes, and other legal sources will be utilized, as well as readings from literature, the social sciences, philosophy, and business. Film excerpts will also be incorporated into the class. This course will provide students with research and writing opportunities, along with instruction in the use of various communication technologies (allowing students to engage in hands on learning about website design, blogs, and social media.)
Freshmen Only