THE RULE OF LAW

This course, through the integration of legal, historical and political concepts, introduces students to the rule of law ? one of the current governing principles of Western civilization and the historical foundation of that civilization?s rights and liberties ? and its role in the American community. By using the rule of law as a guiding principle, this course insures that students develop a perspective on the community and its relationship to the individual that includes an historical knowledge of both the American and international legal systems, the political and social reasons for making a commitment to be governed by the rule of law, and an understanding of law as an essential pillar of American and Global Communities. Students will be introduced to the, sometimes, conflicting rights and duties of individuals and communities through an examination of selected appellate court cases, which will demonstrate the difficulty in resolving societal issues involving conflict between individuals and communities.