[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Syllabus> General Information 

 

Technical Ability
Only minimal technical ability is assumed. I anticipate that you each have had training on Westlaw and Lexis. I expect most have done minimal surfing on the "net" and know that a “browser” is a program used to access the World Wide Web (www). You are required to learn how to effectively use a web browser (Netscape or Microsoft IE, Mozilla, Opera, etc), and to access the www for required assignments. 


Class Meetings
This course is entirely online. There are no scheduled in-class meetings for learning the subject.

All course exercises must be completed by July 20th.

Texts
There is a required textbook:
Admiralty and Maritime Law in The United States
ISBN 0-89089-913-4
David Robertson, et al
Carolina Academic Press (http://www.cap-press.com)
You may find a used copy online or purchase new from the Samford University Bookstore.

Course Grade
Your grade is based 50% on timely answers to the exercises, level of participation in the on-line forum, and 50% on a written final examination at the end of the Term. 

       A. Information sharing

The grading policy for participation basically rewards two things: the quality and timeliness of your responses and assignments. My expectations of quality are simple. Responses should be well written (spell check please!) and clearly address the issues being discussed; examples include:

  • Offering up ideas or resources and inviting a critique of them
  • Asking challenging questions
  • Articulating, explaining and supporting positions on ideas
  • Exploring and supporting issues by adding explanations and examples
  • Reflecting on and re-evaluating personal opinions
  • Offering a critique, challenging, discussing and expanding ideas of others
  • Negotiating interpretations, definitions, and meanings
  • Summarizing previous contributions and asking the next question
  • Proposing actions based on ideas that have been developed

 

Regular and active participation is an essential and important aspect of this online course. My expectation is that you will log on a minimum of three times every seven days. It is critical that you read all of the lecture and assignment materials as well as the public discussion materials.

Communication Guidelines

 

E-mail

Only your Samford University e-mail address will be used for class notices and communications between you and the instructor--check it frequently!

 

  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.

 

Discussion Groups


Threaded discussions and topics are located in the course MESSAGE BOARD on the University Portal. Simply go to the portal and login. Once at your course you will see the message board. There is also a DISCUSSION link to the portal on every page of this site.

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a “lurker” then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

 

Chat

  • Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.
  • Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements.
  • Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.
  • Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.
  • Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.

Instant Messaging

We will all use Gmail chat as our default real-time instant message program. You may sign-up for a free account at: http://www.gmail.com

E-mail me your screen name once you have registered. My screen name is: ajbolla

If you manage several chat names from MSN, Yahoo, AOL, etc. consider using a great free tool named "Trillian" from Cerulean Studios. Download at: http://www.download.com/Trillian/3000-2150-10047473.html

 

 

       B. Online exercises

You must submit the assignments by the start time of the next assigned week. Course weeks generally run from a Monday to the next Sunday.

Your full participation is an essential aspect of the online learning process. All students are expected to do the work assigned , notify me ( ajbolla@samford.edu ) when emergencies arise, and make up missing assignments no later than four days after they are due.

There are 7 lesson modules that survey many topical areas foundational to this legal subject. They are not "mini" subject matter courses nor exhaustive in scope. They are designed for you to explore and experience many facets of the law including some in transition.

All assignments are due by 11:59 PM (CDT) on the day specified.

1 Week 1 Introduction & Jurisdiction Basics
2 Week 2 Jurisdiction (continued)
3 Week 3 Carriage of Goods by Sea
4 Week 4 Maritime collisions (and allisions) and basic maritime tort law
5 Week 5 Pilotage and Towage
6 Week 6 Salvage at sea
7 Week 7 Immunities and other exculpations

The tab will take you to items of interest and links to more information on the associated topic.

Honor Code
The Cumberland School of Law does not condone any form of academic dishonesty. Any act of improperly representing another person's work as one's own is construed as an act of academic dishonesty. These acts include, but are not limited to, plagiarism in any form, or use of information and materials not authorized by the instructor during an examination. If a faculty member judges a student to be guilty of some form of academic dishonesty, the student may be given a failing grade for that piece of work or for the course, depending upon the severity of the misconduct. The Cumberland School of Law Honor Code applies to all respects to this online course.

 

Students with Disabilities
Samford University complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Students with disabilities who seek accommodations must make their request by contacting the Advisor for Students with Disabilities located in Counseling Services on the lower level of Pittman Hall, or call (205) 726-4078. A faculty member will grant reasonable accommodations only upon written notification from the Advisor for Students with Disabilities.

 

Getting Started
Go to the Exercises page and begin with Week 1. Remember, however, that only a few legal subjects are "linear" and best learned sequentially. This subject study is "non-linear" although the lessons are numerically ordered for structure and learning convenience.

Certain portions of this class may be restricted and accessible only by enrolled students and invited guests.

Navigation Hints
Much of this course site is self-contained and you can navigate by using the location bar at the top of every page. Exercises, however, are built on information located on the course site, on the world wide web [www], and the text. Once you leave a course page to other locations on the www you will need to use your browser back-button to return to this course site.