OUTCOMES-BASED COURSE SYLLABUS

PROGRAM BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (BA POS)

COURSE CODE PSE-102
COURSE TITLE INTRODUCTION TO LAW
COURSE COMPONENT POLITICAL SCIENCE ELECTIVE COURSES
PRE-REQUISITE NONE
CREDIT 3 UNITS
TIME ALLOTMENT 3 HOURS PER WEEK
TERM FIRST SEMESTER

I. VISION OF TMC

A model institution with fully developed academic, technical- vocational education and skill of
man power with positive work attitudes anchored in the core values of leadership and
professionalism essential in the creation of self- reliant citizens.

II. MISSION OF TMC

To build well- trained professionals, competent and employable individual that will meet the
demands in the local and international market.

III. INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING OUTCOMES

After going through with the course standards and policies of Trinidad Municipal College, the students
shall be able to:

 Acquire knowledge and information, work skills and work ethics essentials for making an
intelligent choice of an occupation;
 Broaden and heighten one’s appreciation for the arts, the sciences and technology for
maximizing one’s potentials for self – fulfilment and for promoting the welfare of others;
 Acquire knowledge of human culture and the natural world of science, social sciences,
mathematics, humanities, arts and other disciplines.
 Equipped with intellectual and practical skills and have civic responsibility and engagement;
ethical reasoning; intercultural knowledge and actions; propensity for lifelong learning.

IV. PROGRAM GOALS

By completing the undergraduate program, students will:

1. Acquire specialized knowledge in the field of political science.

2. Understand the depth and breadth of the discipline of political science.
3. Development of general skills that will serve students regardless of their future course of study or
employment.
4. Learn advanced research skills in area of research interest.
5. Develop critical thinking and writing skills
 V.
PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Students in the discipline must exhibit the following competencies at the end of the undergraduate
program. Graduates should be able to:

1. Compare, contrast and classify the major concepts in the discipline.

2. Recognize and define the distinctiveness of the discipline, its sub-discipline, theories and
methods.
3. Be familiar with the place of political science within the broader spectrum of the social
sciences and history.

VI. COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon completion of this course, the students are able to:

1. Differentiate the concepts of law from world's legal system and the Philippine legal system.
2. Able to understand and appreciate the importance of legal system.
3. Be proactive individual particularly in understanding the different concepts of legal system.

VII. DESIRED LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the semester, a student completing this course should be able to:

1. Explain the history and contemporary features of the Philippine legal system, including its key
institution, doctrine and principles.
2. Understand the fundamental legal rules and principles relevant to the selected areas of law.
3. Constitute analyses of the theories, morals, principles and legal system of law.
4. Acknowledge the complexities in understanding the history and sources of Philippine legal
system.

VIII. COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course provides an introduction to the law and legal principles.
The course will educate students on the structure of law, the world legal system, Philippine legal
system, and legal traditions of the Philippines
This course subject will help student who wishes to proceed in studying law.

IX. COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Attendance 10%
Class Participation 10%
Quizzes 15%
Individual/ Group Activities- 10%
Academic Paper- 15%
Major Examination- 40%
TOTAL: 100%

a. Class attendance
 The maximum number allowed absences from class shall be twenty percent (20%) of the
prescribed number of class periods for the given term. Absences, however, due to sickness and
other legitimate reasons will be excused, provided a medical certificate issued by a government
Physicians or designated School Physician is presented to the instructor concerned. Being
excused, the student will be given make- up lesson or assignment for the missed work. A
student who incurs unexcused absences of more than twenty percent (20%) of the prescribed
number of classes or laboratory periods during the school year or term should be given a failing
grade or given no credit for the course.

b. Class Participation
For the class participation, each student must always come to class prepared for the assigned
readings and discussion on the day. This course heavily draws on the reading materials. The
readings are primary sources of students to fully grasp the basic understanding of the topic to
be discussed in class. Lectures and lecture notes are secondary only. Students are discouraged
to rely on these secondary sources alone (listening in class and suing lecture notes) to pass the
course.

c. Quizzes
At the end of each topic, there will be quiz to test the level of understanding of each student on
the assigned readings. In addition to lectures and lecture notes, mistakes in the quizzes are also
considered as secondary source of knowledge in this course. Students are therefore
encouraged to take note of and learn from their mistakes in the quiz.

d. Individual/ Group Activities

Individual/ Group activities allows students to have experience in collaborating with other
members in group or in class. Students are grouped according to drawn slots.

e. Academic Paper
The class project will make 15% grade of each student. The criteria/ rubric for grading the class
project are as follows:

a. Punctuality 20% Submitting on time

b. Content 65 % detailed presentation of the topics
c. Neatness 15% how the output is presented
Total 100 %
f. Major Examination
Aside from quizzes and tests, four major examinations are given. These are Preliminary
Examination, Midterm Examination, Semi- Final Examination, and Final Examination.

X. GRADING SYSTEM
In general, the College applies numerical grading system in rating the academic performance of the
students. This numerical grading system has corresponding indication and percentage equivalent, as
follows:

Adjectival Rating Numerical Rating Percentage

Excellent 1.00 - 1.09 95 - 100%

Very Good 1.10 - 1.50 90 - 94%

Good 1.51 - 2.50 80 - 89%

Passed 2.51 - 3.00 75 - 79%

Failed 3.01 - 5.00 Below 74%

OTHER GRADING OPTIONS ARE THE FOLLOWING:

W – Withdraw
DR – Dropped
NG – No Grade
Grades are computed based on classroom performance that includes:

HIGHEST RATINGS
CRITERIA
PRELIM MID-TERM SEMI-FINAL FINAL

Attendance – 10% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Class Participation – 10% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Quizzes – 15% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Individual/Group Activities-10% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Term Project – 15% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

Major Written Examinations – 40% 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

In general, the College sets 50% in any test / examinations of the total raw score as the passing
mark.

XI. CLASS POLICIES

Policies for the Students:
1) During the first week, the class should assign a Class Beadle. The class beadle is responsible in
coordinating with the instructor regarding class announcements and other communications. He/
She will make sure that all lights are turned off and blackboard is cleaned at the end of every
meeting. Also, he/she will help the Instructor in making sure that all students will have the copy of
the required readings for each topic. Lastly, he/she will represent the class on all issues related to
the course.
2) The class should have a Google class and Facebook group accounts. All announcements and other
important matters (e.g. uploading questionnaires for take- home quizzes, papers; announcement
regarding schedules; class standing updates and the likes shall be made through Facebook group
account.
3) Reading materials will be sent in the Google Classrooms.
4) Class attendance will be checked at the second bell. Students who will arrive after the second bell
are considered late. Upon entering the classroom, the late student should make sure that the
instructor is informed about his/ her tardiness (to be marked as “late” instead of an “absent”, in
the class attendance). The Instructor will always rely on the class record when it comes to class
attendance. Three (3) tardiness will be recorded as one cut. A student who incurs more than six (6)
cuts will automatically get a W grade (or be considered as dropped). Only the Dean’s Listers are
entitled to unlimited number of cuts.
5) Any student who fails to attend the class should see the Instructor with a Medical Certificate
and/or a Letter from a Guardian. Failure to bring any of these will automatically extinguish the
appeal to be excused from class.
6) An excused cut only entitles a student to request a make-up exam or brief lecture from the
instructor. An excused cut is still a cut.
7) Each student is encouraged to participate in every meeting or class recitation. Everyone is invited
to air his or her views or understanding about the subject matter discussed in class.
8) Students are expected to bring the syllabus and assigned readings every meeting. Students not
having any of these materials in class will be marked absent.
9) Students are expected to be attentive always in class. A student who is caught doing something
(i.e., reading books or journal articles from other subjects, browsing the net, making unnecessary
noise in the class and the likes that is NOT related to the course will be marked absent.
10) Each student should get his her own quiz notebook (blue book) for the semester. Failure to bring
his her blue book on quiz day will automatically get a ten- point deduction (in quiz).
11) During the quiz and major examination, all things should be placed in front of the classroom.
12) Each student should refrain from using his or her mobile phone or other entertainment/
communication devices while in class. Laptops or any electronic devices used for taking down notes
are allowed in the classroom.
13) Any form of academic dishonesty will be dealt accordingly (see the TMC Student manual). Any
student who is suspected to have committed cheating will be requested to see the Instructor in the
Department. The student will be given the chance to air his or her side.
14) Students should at all times treat their Instructor and classmates with courtesy and respect.
15) Each student should avoid going out of the room during class hours.
 16) Food and drinks are allowed inside the classroom. Provided that he/ she will clean his/ her desk
after class.

Policies for the Instructor

1) The instructor must always be present every meeting. The Instructor will inform the class (through
the e- group or class beadle) if the Instructor fails to attend class for the day.
2) At the start of the meeting, the Instructor is expected to discuss the contents in the syllabus.
3) The Instructor should try his/ her best to return the quiz notebook (blue book) or take home exams
a week before the next quiz. Any questions, clarifications or comments about the quiz should be
communicated to the instructor either by seeing him personally after the class or writing him/ her
thru email or thru class beadle. Failure to do so, within that day, automatically extinguish the
student’s right to inform the Instructor about his/ her questions, clarifications or comments
regarding the quiz.
4) The instructor should inform the class about the coverage of the major exams.
5) The Instructor’s lecture notes should be uploaded at least a day before the quiz.
6) The instructor should always make sure that he/ she is available for consultation. The student’s
right to consult with the Instructor should be respected at all times. Students may also request for
a tutorial session depending on the schedule or availability of the Instructor.
7) The instructor may inform each student about his/ her class standing (upon request). Any student
who starts to exhibit poor performance in class (quizzes, etc.) will be informed immediately.
8) The Instructor is discouraged to go out of the room during class hours.

Class Meetings and Dismissal of Classes

a. Faculty members should observe punctuality in conducting their respective classes. The faculty
should be in his class before the said class.

b. Faculty members are required to begin their respective classes promptly.

c. Faculty members should dismiss their classes five (5) minutes before the end of each period to allow
the students to move and transfer to their next class.

d. No one is allowed to disrupt the class by calling on the faculty or any student during class hours
without an official locator slip issued by the Dean/Head of the concerned faculty or student.

e. Faculty shall stay in the classroom and conduct classes during the entire period.

Classroom Discipline

a. Faculty members are persons in authority and shall have the right to discipline students who commit
infractions such as cheating, shouting, and making unnecessary noise, using vulgar language, impolite and
other unacceptable behaviors as provided for in the Student Manual. No faculty, however, shall inflict
corporal punishment on offending students nor shall he/she make deductions in the students’ scholastic
ratings for acts that are clearly not manifestations of poor scholarship.
b. Faculty members shall discourage disruptive student behavior and strictly ban indiscriminate use of cell
phones and other electronic devices inside the classroom.

c. Faculty members shall ensure that students are doing meaningful tasks inside the classroom during
their vacant periods.

d. Faculty members shall ensure cleanliness inside the classroom and its vicinity. Chalkboards shall be
cleaned before leaving the classroom. Chairs and tables shall be arranged. Lights shall be switched off.

Use of Electronics Devices in the Classroom

Electronic devices such as cellphones may be used in the class under the direction of the instructor for
instructional purposes or otherwise directed at the discretion of the instructor. Students who use their
devices for non-instructional purposes will be directed to put the device away; failure to do so will be
considered insubordination and referred to school administration.

Class Participation and Behavior

1. Class participation is a very important part of the learning process in this course. Students will be
evaluated on the quality of their contributions and insights.

2. Any form of cheating will immediately earn you a failing grade.

3. Students are required to adhere to the behavior standards and to refrain from disrupting classes.

4. If a student is disruptive, the faculty member may ask the student to stop the disruptive behavior
and warn the student that such disruptive behavior can result in academic or disciplinary action.

XII. LEARNING PLAN

DESIRED CONTENTS/ OUTCOMES- ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCES TIMETABLE

LEARNING TOPICS BASED TEACHING LEARNING
OUTCOMES (DLO) LEARNING (OBTL) OUTCOMES
W TERM
E
E
K
S

1. To define law The

comprehensive Class discussion Quizzes Books/Library
and specific senses
Group activity Oral/Written Gadgets/Materials
examination 3
2. To learn the The natural and Reporting Term project Visual aids W PRELIM
general positive law E
classifications The natural has Research Major exam Internet Sources E
of law three K
Components: Open forum S
Physical, Moral
and Divine

Class discussion Quizzes

1.To learn the The historical, Books/Library
nature of law Teleological, Group activity Oral/Written
Analytical , examination Gadgets/Materials
Functional, Legal, Reporting 3
policy science view Term project Visual aids
Research W MIDTERM
Major exam E
Internet Sources
The Egyptian, Open forum E
Mesopotamian, K
2. To learn the Hebrew, Chinese, S
world's legal Hindu,
system Greek, Roman,
Celtic, Slavic,
Germanic,
Japanese, Anglo-
American,
Catholic(papal),
Mohammedan
legal system

The Pre-Spanish Class discussion Quizzes

1.To identify the period: the Books/Library
history and sources Maragtas, the Group activity Oral/Written
of Philippine law code of Kalantiaw examination Gadgets/Materials 3
and the Muslim Reporting
2. To discuss the codes Term Project Visual aids W
different sources Research E SEMI-
of law Spanish period; Major exam E FINALS
Internet Sources
the Spanish laws Open forum K
and colonial laws S

1. To learn the first The Malolos

Philippine Constitution, Class discussion Quizzes Books/Library
Republic, the organic laws, the
American and Philippine bill of Group activity Oral/Written Gadgets/Materials 3
Philippine 1902, the examination
commonwealth Philippine Reporting Visual aids W
period. autonomy act of Term project E FINALS
1916, Research E
Internet Sources
The Tydings- Major exam K
2.To learn the McDuffie law, Open forum S
second and third The 1935
Philippine republic, Philippine
martial law and the constitution
fourth republic,
 the 1987 The Japanese
constitution period, the 1973
constitution,
martial law, and
the 1987
Philippine
constitution

I. REFERENCES
1) Introduction to law by: Rufus B. Rodriguez (2001)
2) Grilliot and Schubert, Introduction to Law & The Legal System. Boston, Houghton Mifflin
Company, 1989,
3) "Gamboa, An Introduction to Philippine Law, 7th Ed., Quezon City, Central Lawbook Publishing,
1964,
4) Ramirez & Sison, Introduction to Philippine Law, Manila, Philaw Publishing.
5) Introduction to Law by: Jaap Hage · Bram Akkermans (2014)

Prepared by: Recommending Approval Approved by:

YADAH BETHEL E. PURACAN SELVINO B. NAVAL ATTY. ROBERTO C. CAJES, Ph.D

Faculty Program Chair/ College Administrator
College Department Head