Informed Citizens. Accountable Power.

The exam is, by far, the easiest option of the three and will be graded the most generously. The other grading options are available for students who want to use this opportunity to develop deeper understanding of particular aspects of U.S. Law.

• Any student who is not a law student must take the final exam.
• Law students can select from the other two grading options described on the following page.

The Final Exam

Structure:

• Part I (25%)
  • 25 multiple choice questions
  • Questions will test your understanding of legal doctrine
    • A full set of mock questions will be provided in December.
• Part II (25%)
  • 5 short answer questions (approximately 250 words each)
  • EXAMPLES:
    • Questions might ask for a definition of a concept that we studied over the semester and a short summary of your opinion of a case:
      • What is originalism? Cite an example of one case that we studied this semester that invokes originalism and describe whether or not you think that the case is an effective use of this interpretive method.
    • Questions might relate to formal constitutional doctrine:
      • What powers are afforded to the federal government by the Commerce Clause?
    • Questions might ask you to provide short answers to clear questions of U.S. Constitutional Law:
      • Mrs. A is from Louisiana and wants to file a suit against Mr. B in federal court.  Can Mrs. A sue Mr. B? If so, on what basis?
        
• Part III (50%)
  • 1 essay question (approximately 500 to 1,500 words)
  • You will be given four different essay prompts to choose from. You must select one of these prompts (and only one) and write an essay of 500 to 1,500 words on the topic described.
    • EXAMPLE:
      • These questions will ask you to provide a more extended analysis of key issues and debates that extend across the entire course:
        • Using the materials that you have covered in this class, for the purposes of U.S. Constitutional Law, what does equality mean? Is there one view or are there many contesting views? Which view do you think should prevail?
        • Describe the importance–both symbolic and practical–of the concept of “people” to the Constitution. Some questions to consider include: Do you think the concept is an effective concept? Why is the legitimacy of the Constitution based upon its value for and creation by the “people”? 
        • Provide a brief description of key aspects of U.S. Federalism. Compare U.S. federalism to European federalism (or any other federal system with which you are familiar). What features do these systems share in common? What are the key differences? 
        • Discuss any current event in the United States and describe it using some of the concepts we have studied in class.
        • What is originalism? Cite an example of one case that we studied this semester that invokes originalism use it to argue for or against the use of originalism for judicial interpretation of laws.

Class Participation

• Class participation through regular attendance: This will give you 10% extra-credit from the second session onwards. Since the class is rather large, I will ask you to state your name so that I can mark down your participation.
  • Ultimately, the extra credit for participation will be distributed on a comparative scale. Students who have been the most active in the development of class discussions will receive the highest number of additional credits.
• Class participation through participation in the American Constitution Society:
  • Students can get up to 25% extra credit for participating in the establishment and organization of the student group.
  • Students receive a full 25% for joining the board and up to 50% for any outstanding practical work that demonstrates exceptional understanding of the U.S.  legal system.
  • Students can receive up to 10% extra credit for attending events or meetings. There will be a sign-up sheet at each meeting. Students who sign in, attend and participate in these events will receive extra credit. The percentage of extra-credit depends upon how many events are organized by the student group during the year.
    • If, for example, the student group organizes two events, then students will receive an additional 5% credit for attending each event.

Strategies to do well in this course

• If you attend lectures, follow along in class, and participate in discussions, you will be able to do very well in this course.
• There will be nothing on the final exam that is not covered in class.
• At the end of each week, I will publish a summary of all the important points discussed in the prior week’s class.
• Towards the end of the semester, I will offer a review session where we will go through all the major points that will be covered in the exam.