MVV301K Introduction to the American Legal System

Faculty of Law
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/1/0. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Ruthann M. Driscoll, JD (seminar tutor), prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D. (deputy)
Guaranteed by
prof. JUDr. Ing. Michal Radvan, Ph.D.
Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Supplier department: Faculty of Law
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MVV301K/01: No timetable has been entered into IS.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
It is the goal of this course to introduce the students to the various aspects of the American Legal System using real life examples and current case law and precedent.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, the students should have a basic understanding of the three different branches of government and each branch’s role in creating and enforcing the rule of law. The students will also be able to sift through how the various branches work together to formulate the rule of law. Additionally, the students will have an awareness of the difference between state law and federal law, criminal vs. civil law, as well as how a case proceeds through the American Legal system. Finally, the students will use the information that they have learned to dissect a current fact situation and make a reasoned decision on the possible outcome(s) of the case.
Syllabus
  • I. The American Legal System.
  • A. Separation of Powers—Executive/Legislative/Judicial
  • 1. The Executive Branch -- Powers of the President of the United States.
  • 2. The Legislative Branch. The Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
  • a. The Constitution.
  • b. The Bill of Rights.
  • c. Other important US Amendments
  • II. Comparing the Executive and Legislative Branches in the Federal system with The Executive and Legislative Branches in the State Law System
  • A. Separation of Powers at the State Level: President vs. Governor; Congress vs. State Legislature; Federal Statutes and the Code of Federal Regulations vs. State Statutes and Administrative Regulations
  • III. The Judicial Branch.
  • A. Federal System vs. State System
  • 1. Federal Court/Court of Appeals/US Supreme Court
  • 2. Circuit Court/Court of Appeals/State Supreme Court
  • 3. Civil vs. Criminal Court System.
  • B. Stages of Litigation
  • 1. The Criminal Court Process
  • 2. The Civil Court Process
  • 3. Burdens of Proof
  • IV. How the Branches of Government Work Together.
  • A. The Rule of Law
  • 1. Federal Law vs. State Law
  • 2. Statutory Law vs. Common Law
  • 3. Stare Decisis (Mandatory vs. Persuasive Precedent)
  • V. The Role of the Lawyer in the American Legal System
  • A. Legal Education
  • B. Legal Environment
  • C. Judges in the US Legal System
  • D. Legal Ethics
  • VI. The Trial Process
  • VII. Putting it all together: Walking through Fact Situations using Current Court Opinions
Literature
  • Materials will be distributed before and during the lectures.
Teaching methods
lectures and discussions
Assessment methods
100 multiple choice/true/false questions.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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