This is a sample assignment that fulfills many of the 7 Principles outlined by Chickering & Gamson and summarized here for using technology: http://www.tltgroup.org/programs/seven.html

1. Assignment # 4
California State University, Fresno
BA 88 Public Law Environment of Business
Fall 2011
Professor Ida M. Jones
Assignment # 4: Court System and Dispute Resolution
(25 Points)
Due Dates:
Quiz October 5 (5 points)
Group Discussion October 12 (15 points)
Group Summary October 14 (5 points)
Comments on Group Reports October 16 (2 EC points)
Introduction
To understand the state and federal court system of the U.S. and to review
methods of resolving disputes in addition to litigation.
Assignment Objectives
Recognize the role of the judiciary and the court system
Identify key categories of lawsuits and their similarities and differences
Explain the difference between trial and appeal; original jurisdiction
and appellate jurisdiction
Explain key dispute resolution methods and their advantages and
disadvantages
Resources
(Located in the “Initial Readings for Assignment 3 Folder” in Blackboard.)
Complete these readings and take the quiz by Sept. 21.
Complete by October 5, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.
Introduction to U.S. Court System (2 minute video)
Outline of the U.S. Legal System
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2. Complete by October 5, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.
To take the quiz, go to Assignments, Assignment 4, Quiz-Asgnm 4.
You will have a maximum of 5 minutes to take the quiz. Be sure
you’re at a secure Internet connection. Questions will be displayed one
at a time and you cannot backtrack.
Group Discussion
Complete by October 12, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.
After you have completed the quiz, please read the resources below and
discuss the following questions in your groups.
Readings:
Fears of sharia Law in America Grow Among Conservatives
The Myth of Sharia Law in America
Is the American legal system subject to significant change based on
application of Sharia law?
Posting Comments
For this discussion, you are expected to apply the information from the initial
readings to the last two readings on Sharia Law and answer the question
posed above.
This discussion may become heated at times. At all times, review your
postings to be sure they are (1)directly relevant (2) based on the readings
and specifically apply the readings to the discussion and (3) polite.
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3. Complete by October 14, 2011 at 11:59 p.m.
Group Report& Class Comments
Complete a summary of your group’s responses to the question and submit
that to the class forum for Assignment 4. Each student must post an
evaluative, substantive response to another’s group report no later than
October 16 to obtain 2 points extra credit for that posting.
Scoring Rubric/Assessment
You are expected to contribute to the online discussion through regular
postings in the discussion board for this assignment. During the first week
the assignment is available, you are to complete the readings. By the second
week, you should begin posting comments. For this assignment, you’re
expect to post at least 3 comments, 2 of which should be on separate (24
hour) days, although you’re welcome to post more frequently than that.
The following is the rubric that will be used to evaluate your discussion board
postings for this assignment.
Novice Competent Proficient
Timeliness Posted only the Posted October 11 Posted well
last day and/or 12 only; before October
posted 2 times 11; posted 3 or
more times
Content Opinions, Comments referred to Posting referred
comment(s) did specific material, to quality outside
not demonstrate opinions supported by materials in
knowledge of the or related to the addition to clear
material resources references to
resources
Participation Posted only 1 day Posted within last 2 Posted and
days only responded to
other students
comments so that
others had an
opportunity to
respond and
engage in
constructive
dialogue
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