MCCCD Program Description

Civil Rights and Liberties

Course: POS223

First Term: 2018 Spring

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: The historic background and current status of major civil rights and civil liberties issues in the United States.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the historical struggle for equal rights among women and minorities in the USA. (I) 2. Outline the role of the judiciary in defining and protecting civil rights and liberties. (II) 3. Relate the process of incorporation to each of the civil rights and liberties in the Bill of Rights. (III) 4. Explain the breadth and scope of the contemporary interpretation of the rights of the accused, and be able to cite the appropriate court cases that support this interpretation. (IV) 5. Cite the various court cases that make up the body of the law and the social pressures that inform the present interpretation of and separation of church and state. (V) 6. Describe the major precedents for the interpretation of the First Amendment rights of freedom of speech, press, and assembly. (VI) 7. Cite the various court cases that make up the body of the law and the social pressures that inform the present interpretation of the equal protection clause. (VII) 8. Cite the various court cases that make up the body of the law and the social pressures that inform the present interpretation of voting rights. (VIII) 9. Cite the various court cases that make up the body of the law and the social pressures that inform the present interpretation of the right to privacy. (IX) 10. Analyze and apply relevant precedent to contemporary controversies regarding civil rights and liberties. (IV - IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Historical perspective A. Sources of the concept B. Origin of the Bill of Rights C. Women`s equal rights movement D. The civil rights movement for minorities II. The courts and civil rights A. Limitations on judicial power to protect rights B. Judicial remedies for violations of rights C. Sources of interference with personal freedom III. Civil rights in the federal system A. The "nationalization" of rights B. Erosion of a broad interpretation of the "reserved powers" of states IV. The rights of the accused A. Searches and seizures B. Bail C. Self-incrimination D. Confessions E. The right to counsel F. The right to a fair hearing G. Double jeopardy H. Trial by jury I. Guilty pleas J. Cruel and unusual punishments K. Habeas corpus L. Rights of prisoners V. Religious freedom A. Separation of church and state B. The free exercise of religion VI. Freedom of speech, press, and assembly A. The scope of the rights B. Previous restraints C. Internal security D. Maintenance of public peace and order E. Obscenity and pornography VII. Equal protection of the law A. The traditional view B. The new equal protection C. The "three-tiered" approach D. Race discrimination E. Gender discrimination F. Discrimination based on sexual orientation VIII. The right to vote A. Constitutional limitations on state voting regulations B. Federal legislation to protect voting rights IX. The right to privacy A. The right to bear or not bear a child B. Sexual relationships C. The right to die

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 25, 2017

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.