Last Updated: Mon, 01/05/2026
Course prefix:
PUBP
Course number:
3016
Semester:
Spring
Academic year:
2026
Course description:

In this Course, we will cover the functions, structures, and procedures of state and federal court systems. The Course will address civil and criminal procedure in addition to judicial concepts that apply to both civil and criminal cases such as jury selection and the rules of evidence. We will study several types of law that impact judicial decisions: statutes, case law, and rules of evidence and procedure. 

 

Course learning outcomes:

Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals. 

 

This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question: 

  • How do I understand human experiences and connections? 

Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome: 

  • Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change. 

Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies: 

  • Intercultural Competence  
  • Perspective-Taking  
  • Persuasion  
Required course materials:
  • We will not be using a textbook in this class. Use Google Scholar for the assigned case law. Go to scholar.google.com, click on case law, and search the case citations listed below. All other assigned materials are available on the listed website. 
Grading policy:
  • Attendance – 30%

Attendance is mandatory. Send requests for excused absences by email. For additional information about notification and documentation for missing class, please visit http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/student-absence-regulations

  • Midterm (March 4th) – 35%

Short answer & essay. We will grade your midterm and give you your grade through Canvas prior to the March 18th withdrawal deadline. If you are unable to attend the midterm or final exam on the scheduled date, please tell us about the conflict at least one week prior to the exam if possible, and we will schedule a different time for you to take the exam. 

  • Final (May 6th 6:00 PM - 8:50 PM) – 35%

Short answer & essay. 

  • Participation – Optional Midterm or Final for Top 5 Participating Students 

Participation will be graded on quality of discussion and engagement. Your participation should illustrate a comprehensive reading of the assigned material. The 5 students who have the highest participation score based on both quality and quantity for the classes prior to the Midterm will have the option of not taking the Midterm. The 5 students who have the highest participation score for the classes after the Midterm and before the Final exam will have the option of not taking the Final exam. 

 

Your final grade will be assigned a letter grade according to the following scale: A (90-100%), B (80-89%), C (70-79%), D (60-69%), F (0-59%).

Attendance policy:

Attendance is mandatory. Send requests for excused absences by email. For additional information about notification and documentation for missing class, please visit http://www.catalog.gatech.edu/policies/student-absence-regulations

Academic honesty/integrity statement:

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. All work submitted must be original and properly cited. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in immediate consequences as outlined in the university's academic integrity policy.

Core IMPACTS statement(s) (if applicable):

This is a Core IMPACTS course that is part of the Social Sciences area. 

Core IMPACTS refers to the core curriculum, which provides students with essential knowledge in foundational academic areas. This course will help students master course content, and support students’ broad academic and career goals. 

This course should direct students toward a broad Orienting Question: 

  • How do I understand human experiences and connections? 

Completion of this course should enable students to meet the following Learning Outcome: 

  • Students will effectively analyze the complexity of human behavior, and how historical, economic, political, social, or geographic relationships develop, persist, or change. 

Course content, activities and exercises in this course should help students develop the following Career-Ready Competencies: 

  • Intercultural Competence  
  • Perspective-Taking  
  • Persuasion  
Instructor First Name:
Jennifer, Chong
Instructor Last Name:
Weizenecker, Kim
Section:
HP, WK
CRN (you may add up to five):
35344
28567
Department (you may add up to three):