Syllabus Spring 2026
POL 201 You and the Law
Instructor: Prof. Kukowski
Office: MacLean Hall 380C
Department: Economics, Law & Politics
Email: deborah.kukowski@mnstate.edu
Office phone: 218.477.5806
Office Hours: M/W 9-10:30a.m. electronic via ZOOM – contact me for invite
T/H 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. in-person and/or via ZOOM-contact me for invite
Other times are available – please email me and we will set up a time to meet
Delivery method: In Person
Course Description
To acquaint students with basic information about how their lives will be impacted by the law in numerous areas
including marriage, death, employment, retirement, property ownership, consumer status, personal injury, and
criminal law.
Credit hours: 3
Class time: T/H 1:30-2:45 p.m. MacLean Hall 167
Prerequisites: None
Course Objectives/Learning outcomes
1. To become familiar with the structure of the Civil and Criminal Legal System and to understand the
differences between the systems.
2. To develop an understanding of the major family law concepts such as Marriage, Divorce,
Annulment, Child Custody and Support.
3. To understand the major types of personal injury claims.
4. To understand the process of buying and selling a home; to learn about the major players in the
transaction and to understand the factors related to financing a home.
5. To understand the rights and responsibilities of home ownership, including restrictions on use and
potential problem areas.
6. To understand the landlord tenant relationship including the concerns, rights and duties of both
landlords and tenants.
7. To become familiar with the process of applying for credit, re-establishing credit and the pitfalls of
bad credit.
8. To generally understand the process of bankruptcy with an emphasis on Chapter 7 consumer
bankruptcy process, advantages and disadvantages.
9. To learn about contract requirements, remedies for breach, warranties with an emphasis on consumer
contracts.
10. To learn about a variety of key issues involved with automobiles, including purchase, warranties,
Lemon Laws, accidents and insurance.
11. To learn about major employment law issues such as discrimination, wage and hour law, child labor
and benefits.
12. To learn about the issues facing older Americans such as , Health and Long-Term Benefits, Housing,
Controlling Your Affairs, Health Care Decisions.
13. To learn the major tools for controlling your affairs in anticipation of death and/or long-term illness.
Required Textbook
Nolo’s Encyclopedia of Everyday Law 12th Edition ISBN: 978 1 4133 3067 0
Additional articles and materials may be provided within the course site in D2L Brightspace under their
corresponding modules. Please note that all instructional materials (readings, videos, etc.) assigned in
this course are required unless specifically indicated as optional.
Amendments to the Syllabus: Changes to the syllabus may occur for several reasons. First,
inclement weather may dictate cancellation of classes and a rescheduling. If classes are canceled, any
assigned material, assignment, or test will be due at the next class period. Second, a mistake on the
syllabus may require changes. Third, the students and professor may reach a consensus about a need
for a change in the syllabus.
If the class is cancelled, any assigned material, assignment or test will be due the next class period.
Class Schedule: Subject to change
January
13 Course introduction and organization; class expectations and syllabus review.
15 Chapter 16 (Note: We will study the chapters out of order, so pay attention to the chapters assigned)
20 Chapter 16 continued
22 Chapter 17
27 Chapter 17
29 Chapter 14
Feb 3 Chapter 14
5 Chapter 15
10 Chapter 15
12 TEST #1-Chapters 16,17,14 and 15
17 Chapter 1
19 Chapter 1
24 Chapter 1
26 Chapter 2
March 3 Chapter 2
5 Chapter 3
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10 Spring Break
12 Spring Break
17 Chapter 3
19 Chapter 9
24 Chapter 9
26 TEST #2: Chapters 1,2,3 and 9
31 Chapter 4
April 2 Chapter 4
7 Chapter 10
9 Chapter 10
14 Chapter 11
16 Chapter 11
21 No Class Student Academic Conference
23 Chapter 12
28 Chapter 12
30 Chapter 13
Final test #3 on Chapters 4,10,11,12 and 13 on Tuesday, May 5 at 12:00 p.m.
Grades, tests, assignments and late submissions*
Grades will be based on tests, quizzes, and any other assignments that may be given. *Failure to take a test or
to turn in an assignment at the scheduled time will result in zero points unless prior arrangements have been
made with the professor for make-up or late submission. Tests will include matters introduced in the course in
any form. Assignments are due when called for by the professor during the class time on the date that they
are due (early turn in is allowed). Anything turned in after that will receive zero points unless prior
arrangements have been made. Items left at the professor’s office or under her door during the regularly
scheduled class time during which they are due will be considered to be late submissions and will earn zero
points. Assignments must be submitted in the format/manner specified by professor. Registration for this class
indicates the student’s commitment to follow the schedule, and therefore rescheduling of tests and late
submissions will be allowed only for emergency or exigent circumstances.
Grading Scale
Grading: Grades will be based on a percentage of total points earned on tests, quizzes and assignments.
Percentages are as follows:
94-100% =A
90-93 =A-
88-89 =B+
84-87 =B
80-83 =B-
78-79 =C+
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74-77 =C
70-73 =C-
68-69 =D+
64-67 =D
60-63 =D-
Below 60% =F
FAILURE TO TURN IN AN ASSIGNMENT OR TAKE A TEST WHEN SCHEDULED WILL RESULT IN ZERO CREDIT
UNLESS PRIOR APPROVAL IS OBTAINED FROM THE PROFESSOR.
Assignments and tests*
It is anticipated there will be major 1-3 assignments (60-100 points each) with the possibility of a number of
shorter/smaller assignments (10-40 points each). Assignments will be announced in class. There will be 3 tests.
Tests are listed on the syllabus above. Quizzes may be given in class from time to time-unannounced. Each quiz
will be 5-15 points. Should you miss a quiz due to an unexcused absence from class you will not be allowed a
make-up quiz.
Extra credit/Bonus points are not generally available. Do not “count on” extra credit or bonus
points to raise or significantly improve your grade (i.e. extra credit would not be available in an amount to raise
a B to an A but rather may move a B+ to an A-). In the unusual circumstance that extra credit or bonus points
are made available, they will be available to the entire class at the same time and in the same manner during the
semester. Individual extra credit is not available. Extra credit/bonus points will not be available at the
conclusion of the semester. The D2L gradebook is kept current. It is the student’s responsibility to always
review and be aware of their academic standing in the course.
Course Policies
Attendance policy*
The majority of the class material will be presented by lecture and discussion. Attendance and participation is
strongly encouraged. Attendance is not required, however, material/points missed by an absent student will
not be made up. You are responsible for all material covered in class whether you attend or not. Students with
numerous absences may wish to drop the class after consulting with their academic advisor. Quizzes may be
given in class from time to time-unannounced. Each quiz will be 5-15 points. Should you miss a quiz due to an
unexcused absence from class you will not be allowed a make-up quiz. Should you miss a class you are
encouraged to communicate with the professor in a timely manner to seek information regarding what is due
for the next class.
Late Work*
Assignments are due when called for by the professor on the date they are due. *Assignments turned in late
result in zero points unless prior arrangements have been approved by the professor. Early submission of
assignments is allowed.
I realize that life is fluid and situations can arise that are outside of your control. Should you run into a true
emergency and anticipate falling behind in the course, contact me immediately and we will discuss options.
Course Communications
The best method to contact the professor, outside of class, is by email at deborah.kukowski@mnstate.edu. I will
monitor my e-mail account regularly during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The
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maximum response time should be 24 hours Monday-Friday, though I expect that the response time in most
cases will be much faster. Responses outside of those days/hours may occur but should not be expected. If
necessary, arrangements to visit by phone or in person can be made via email.
Students should access MSUM email and the course site in D2L Brightspace on a regular basis for class related
updates and announcements.
Course Preparation You are required to have the assigned reading done prior to class and be prepared to
discuss the material, which should include questions you have regarding the material. Quizzes on assigned
reading or prior material are to be expected. Students who miss quizzes/writing assignments/tests or other
things done in class cannot make them up*. *See information on late submission of assignments/tests or
missed quiz.
Final test scheduling
The final test/exam is scheduled per the university’s Final Exam Schedule/Policy. Registration for this class
indicates the student’s commitment to follow the schedule, and therefore rescheduling of tests and late
submissions will be allowed only for emergency or exigent circumstances. A desire or opportunity to expand the
time allotted for break, or to leave early for semester break, is absolutely not an acceptable excuse for
rescheduling of a test or assignment.
Student Email Criteria
Email is regarded as a professional means of communication. Proper sentence structure, capitalization, correct
spelling, and punctuation are expected. Additionally, proper netiquette is expected in all online communications.
Because I teach multiple courses at the same time, you must include identifying information in any email you
send to me:
1. Include the course name in each subject line.
2. Identify your first and last name at the bottom of each email.
All official University business will be conducted via “mnstate.edu” email accounts. Email communication to
students will be sent to the mnstate.edu email address exclusively. Students will be notified through their
mnstate email account of class cancellations, class updates or professor’s illness. Therefore, it is incumbent
upon the student to check his/her university e-mail account on a daily basis.
Professional Conduct / Classroom Civility / Netiquette
Because this class needs to be a participatory community if students are to fulfill their potential for learning,
people who disrupt the community by their words or actions diminish others ability to learn and fully
participate. Rude, sarcastic, obscene, or disrespectful speech and disruptive behavior have a negative impact on
the teaching and learning process. Students will be warned if their behavior is evaluated by the professor as
disruptive. Sanctions may include a range of responses from immediate removal from class to referral to the
appropriate academic unit.
Please be considerate and turn any notifications on your electronic devices off. Text messaging during class is
rude and disruptive. Texting is not allowed during class as it interferes with the learning process and
environment of you, your classmates and the professor.
If you need a left-handed desk and there are none in the room please contact the professor.
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In this course we will be communicating with each other on a regular basis. Because written communications are
“heard” differently than verbal, please be sure to follow commonly accepted rules of netiquette (online
etiquette). It is important that all participants in all courses be aware of proper online behavior and respect for
each other.
Use appropriate language for an educational environment:
• Do not use obscene or threatening language.
• Avoid slang and uncommon abbreviations.
• Use proper spelling and grammar.
• Avoid overuse of ALL CAPS.
• Use complete sentences.
No Legal Advice Provided by the Instructor: Because this course covers many legal topics
related to day-to-day legal matters which a student may encounter, students periodically seek advice on
personal legal issues. The professor is unable to provide you with legal advice and no attorney-client
relationship will be formed in the event a student does ask for advice from the instructor. The professor may
occasionally assist students by identifying legal resources available to students with legal concerns. This
assistance should not be relied upon by the student as “legal advice” nor should the student consider the
professor their attorney or legal advisor. In the event the student has issues which may require legal advice, the
best course of action is to consult a licensed attorney (other than the professor) for advice.
Professional Ethics & Academic Honesty
The University expects all students to represent themselves in an honest fashion. In academic work, students are
expected to present original ideas and give credit for the ideas of others. The value of a college degree depends
on the integrity of the work completed by the student.
Work in this course must be completed in a manner consistent with the Minnesota State University Student
Academic Honesty Policy. For a complete listing of student policies, the MSUM Student Handbook is available
online.
Academic dishonesty may result not only in failure in the course, but in suspension or dismissal from the
College. The following areas are violations and subject to the dishonesty charge:
1. Cheating on tests, papers, etc.
2. Plagiarism, i.e., using words, ideas, writing, or work of another without giving appropriate credit (Plagiarism is
copying someone else’s work or something they have said and using it as your own. This may be copying
something word for word or copying someone else’s ideas without citing their name).
3. Improper collaboration between students, i.e., not doing one’s own work on outside assignments specified as
group projects by the instructor.
When an instructor has convincing evidence of cheating or plagiarism, a failing grade may be assigned for the
course in which the student cheated. Instructors also may choose to report the offense, the evidence, and their
action to the Dean of their college or the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the instructor
(or any other person) feels the seriousness of the offense warrants additional action, the incident may be
reported to the Director of Student Conduct and Resolution. The Director of Student Conduct and Resolution
will follow procedures set out in the Student Conduct Code.
After the review of the case and a fair, unbiased hearing, the Director of Student Conduct and Resolution may
take disciplinary action if the student is found responsible (see Student Conduct Code for details). A student who
has a course grade reduced by an instructor because of cheating or plagiarism, and who disputes the instructor’s
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finding, may appeal the grade, but only by using the Grade Appeal Policy, which states that the student must
prove the grade was arbitrary, prejudicial, or in error.
This Academic Honesty Statement is also published in the MSUM Student Handbook. (mnstate.edu/student-
handbook/)
Turnitin or similar work product checker: Students enrolled in this course acknowledge and agree to the
requirement of submitting course assignments to Turnitin via the course Assignment folders in D2L Brightspace.
Students are aware and agree that any submitted work product may be checked for AI creation. Work product
that is submitted by a student must be substantially created by the student and not merely an AI copy/paste
product. Students are responsible for adhering to the expectations within the Academic Honesty Policy.
Students’ use of this tool during drafting and prior to assignment submission will allow students to review their
effective paraphrasing, fair use of sources, and proper citations. Faculty will use this tool in evaluation of
student’s work.
Use the Turnitin Student Support Guide to learn more about plagiaris