Primary Source Analysis(esp. founding docs) Checklists / Teacher Observation

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Course Description:

Learning Activities / Modes of Assessment:

Instructional Resources:

The primary goal of this course is to help the student gain a deeper understanding

and application of two aspects of the American legal system: Constitutional law and

criminal law. The student will look closely at the original U.S. Constitution, its

origins, all 27 amendments, and the Supreme Court decisions that interpreted them.

The second part is a detailed look at the societal, cultural, and legal aspects of crime.

The course focuses on theories of who commits crimes, types of crime committed

and how crime is dealt with in America. This class is an excellent choice for a

student who has interest in law enforcement, a pre-law major, or any occupation that

pertains to the law itself.

Large group instruction Tests and Quizzes

Primary Source Analysis(esp. founding docs) Checklists / Teacher Observation

Small group work Projects with Rubrics

Computer simulations Daily Journals / Writing Prompts

Class Discussions

Extended Thinking Activities (e.g. “Constitution Day” activities, debates, Moot courts) Current Event Analysis

Research Projects and Presentations (especially for at least 40 Supreme Court decisions)

Arbetman, Lee P. & Edward L. O’Brien, Street Law: A Practical Course in Law

Various Primary sources (including government documents, newspaper articles, and interviews) Various Secondary sources (including scholarly articles, websites, and textbooks)

Real life scenarios (mostly provided from the web and the text) concerning crime, who commits them, and the handling of such acts

Various visual sources (including graphs, carts, photographs, and video clips) Various websites and Webquests

Various current news sources and legal articles Magna Carta

The English Bill of Rights The Articles of Confederation The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution of the United States of America

*Many of the application principles and situations contained in the 5th edition are different than those contained in the 8th_{edition, however, they are no less valuable.}

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Course Unit (Topic) Length of Instruction (Days/Periods)

1. Number Sense 20 days

2. Addition and Subtraction 20 days

3. Data and Graphing 15 days

4. Geometry 15 days 5. Measurement 20 days 6. Fractions 20 days 7. Money 20 days 8. Patterns 20 days 9. Trig/Angles 15 days

10. Preview: Double Digit Addition with Regrouping 10 days Course: American Legal Systems

Course Unit (Topic) Length of Instruction (Days/Periods)

1. Introduction and History of the American Legal System 25 days

2. The Supreme Court 25 days

3. Criminal Law and Due Process 30 days

4. Research 10 days

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Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Subject(s): Days:25 Grade(s): The Declaration of Independence Salutary neglect Magna Carta

English Bill of Rights Norms Values folkways mores laws Civil Laws Criminal laws enlightenment Social Contract Shays' Rebellion Articles of Confederation Supremacy Clause Ex Post Fact Law Bill of attainder Establishment clause eminent domain Due Process

legislative, executive, & judicial branches

The American legal system has as much evolutionary origins as revolutionary origins

CCR.R.2 -- Unranked

Determine central ideas or themes of a text and analyze their development; summarize the key supporting details and ideas.

CCR.R.1 -- Unranked

Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text.

CCR.R.10 -- Unranked

Read and comprehend complex literary and informational texts independently and proficiently 8.1.U.B. -- Unranked

Evaluate the interpretation of historical events and sources, considering the use of fact versus opinion, multiple perspectives, and cause and effect relationships.

8.1.U.C. -- Unranked

Analyze, synthesize and integrate historical data, creating a product that supports and appropriately illustrates inferences and conclusions drawn from research. (Reference RWSL Standard 1.8.11 Research) 8.3.U.B. -- Unranked

Compare the impact of historical documents, artifacts, and places which are critical to the U.S.

8.3.U.D.d -- Unranked

Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the growth and development of the U.S.: Military conflict 8.3.U.D.e -- Unranked

Evaluate how conflict and cooperation among groups and organizations have impacted the growth and development of the U.S.: Economic stability 8.4.W.B. -- Unranked

Evaluate the importance of historical documents, artifacts, and sites which are critical to world history.

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Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Subject(s):

Days:25

Grade(s):

enumerated powers 8.4.W.A. -- Unranked

Evaluate the role groups and individuals played in the social, political, cultural, and economic development throughout world history.

5.1.C.A. -- Unranked

Analyze the sources, purposes, functions of law, and how the rule of law protects individual rights and promotes the common good.

5.1.C.B. -- Unranked

Employ historical examples and political philosophy to evaluate the major arguments advanced for the

necessity of government. 5.1.C.D. -- Unranked

Evaluate state and federal powers based on significant documents and other critical sources.

• Declaration of Independence • United States Constitution • Bill of Rights

• Pennsylvania Constitution

5.1.C.C. -- Unranked

Evaluate the application of the principles and ideals in contemporary civic life.

• Liberty / Freedom • Democracy • Justice • Equality

Examine the process of checks and balances among the three branches of government, including the creation of law.

5.3.C.F. -- Unranked

Explain the Supreme Court’s role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution.

• Individual rights • States’ rights • Civil rights

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Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Subject(s):

Days:25

Grade(s):

Read and analyze the provisions of Magna Cara & the English Bill of Rights as to their relevance to the American system of government.

Analyze the evolutionary (especially

English) origins of the American legal system. Evaluate the validity of the decision to go to war based on the alleged abuse of the English Bill of Rights.

Discuss/Evaluate the role of the Enlightenment and the individuals involved in the Enlightenment in forming ideas that eventually became the basis for our legal system.

Analyze how the relationship between norms and values helps to create "common law" and the essence of "law & order" in a society.

Read and analyze the original U.S. Constitution as an example of a "social contract."

Read and evaluate the strength of the provisions of The Articles of Confederation.

Analyze the differences between Federalist and Ant-Federalist philosophies and their role in leading to ratification of the original U.S. Constitution as well as the Bill of Rights.

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Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Subject(s): Days:25 Grade(s): Writ of Mandamus Judicial Review "The Miller Test" Exclusionary Rule Interstate Commerce vs. Intrastate Commerce (clauses) delegated vs. reserved powers

Fugitive Slave Clause 14th Amendment The basic premises of the following Supreme Court Cases: 1. Schenck v. US 2. Abrams v. US 3. Tinker v. Des Moines 4. Texas v. Johnson 5. WV Board of Ed. V. Barnette 6. Miller v. California 7. Reno v. ACLU 8. NY Times v. US 9. NY Times v. Sullivan 10. Hazlewood School Dist. V. Kuhlmeirer

The Supreme Court is very influential in individuals',

governments' & society's functioning.

Analyze the roles of local, state, and national governments in policy-making.

Examine the process of checks and balances among the three branches of government, including the creation of law.

5.3.C.F. -- Unranked

5.3.C.H. -- Unranked

Evaluate the role of mass media in setting public agenda and influencing political life.

Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system. 5.2.C.B. -- Unranked

Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.

8.3.C.D. -- Unranked

Analyze the role political symbols play in civil disobedience and patriotic activities. (Reference Civics and Government standard 5.1.9.F.)

Compare and contrast the basic principles and ideals found in significant documents: Declaration of Independence, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.1.9.D.)

Compare and contrast the politics of various interest groups and evaluate their impact on foreign policy. (Reference Civics and Government Standard 5.4.12.E.)

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Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Subject(s): Days:25 Grade(s): 11. Engle v. Vitale 12. Westside

Community School Dist. V. Mergens 13. Abington School District v. Schempp 14. MacDonald v. City of Chicago 15. District of Columbia v. Heller 16. Plessy v. Ferguson 17. Brown v. Board of Education Topeka, Kansas

18. U.S. v. Wong Kim Ark

19. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

20. Boy Scouts v. Dale 21. Korematsu v. US 22. Furman v. Georgia 23. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health 24. US v. Salerno 25. Mapp v. Ohio 26. NJ v. TLO 27. Gideon v. Wainwright 11-12.S.5 -- Unranked

Make strategic use of digital media (e.g., textual, graphical, audio, visual, and interactive elements) in presentations to enhance understanding of findings, reasoning, and evidence and to add interest. 11-12.S.4 -- Unranked

Present information, findings, and supporting evidence, conveying a clear and distinct perspective, such that listeners can follow the line of reasoning, alternative or opposing perspectives are addressed, and the organization, development, substance, and style are appropriate to purpose, audience, and a range of formal and informal tasks.

Create a presentation that outlines and evaluates the main components of major Supreme Court Cases.

Apply constitutional provisions to individual rights and responsibilities.

Apply constitutional provisions to governmental actions (or inactions)

Apply constitutional provisions to historical dilemmas and relate to their meaning today in a more modern context.

Apply constitutional provisions to modern day current events.

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Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Subject(s): Days:25 Grade(s): 28. Miranda v. Arizona 29. Escebedo v. Illinois 30. Worcester v. Georgia 31. Dred Scott v. Sanford 32. Muller v. Oregon 33. Slaughterhouse cases 34. Chicago,

Burlington & Quincy RR v. Chicago 35. Bush v. Gore 36. Roe v. Wade 37. US v. Windsor 38. National Federation of Independent Businesses v. Sebelius 39. Shelby County v. Holder 40. Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority 41. Marbury v. Madison

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Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Subject(s):

Days:30

Grade(s):

Deviance and theories behind why people become deviant, including:

1. The "labeling theory" 2. The "cultural transmission" theory 3. Structural Strain 4. Natural causes 5. Inadequate social control primary deviance secondary deviance differential association Behaviorism Retreatism Ritualism

"Innovation" (in terms of Merton's theory)

"Rebellion (in terms of Merton's theory)

Criminal Justice Funnel Mens rea

strict liability crimes statutory rape

felony

misdemeanor

There are many theories behind who commits acts of deviance and data acquired from those theories can be used to determine the

5.2.C.D. -- Unranked

Evaluate and demonstrate what makes competent and responsible citizens.

Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government.

Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system. 5.3.C.F. -- Unranked

Analyze the roles of local, state, and national governments in policy-making.

Critique the various theories behind "who becomes a deviant?"

Classify various examples of citizens within the framework of Robert Merton's theory of "Structural Strain"

Apply case study information to the five theories (and more) of the causes of deviant behavior.

Apply various real-life scenarios to different aspects of criminal law.

Determine the ways to apply the criminal justice funnel to crimes and evading prosecution.

Assess the role of sanctioning in America. Apply the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th amendments to criminal law.

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Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Subject(s):

Days:30

Grade(s):

principal (to a crime) accomplice

accessory before and after the fact

crimes of omission inchoate crimes, such as: a. solicitation

b. attempt c. conspiracy Homicide classifications:

a. first degree murder b. second degree murder c. voluntary manslaughter d. involuntary manslaughter e. negligent homicide f. justified homicide kidnapping assault battery stalking cyber-stalking bullying

CC.1.2.11-12.J - Acquire and use accurately general academic and domain-specific words and phrases, sufficient for reading, writing, speaking, and listening at the college and career readiness level; demonstrate independence in gathering vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.

CC.1.2.11-12.K - Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade level reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies and tools.

CC.1.2.11-12.L - Read and comprehend literary non-fiction and informational text on grade level, reading independently and proficiently.

11-12.R.H/SS.10 - By the end of grade 12, read and comprehend history/social studies texts in the grades 11-CCR text complexity band independently and proficiently.

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Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Subject(s): Days:30 Grade(s): arson vandalism receiving stolen property unauthorized use of a vehicle cargacking cybercrime

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Topic: 4. Research (throughout the 2nd nine weeks--once or twice a week) Subject(s):

Days:10

Grade(s):

The "scientific" research method (a.k.a. the "research method"): 1. Define the issue 2. Review the existing literature 3. Generate a hypothesis 4. Formulate a research design (surveys, interviews, research, experiment, etc.) 5. Collect data 6. Analyze data 7. Draw conclusion American Psychological Association format for writing research papers, including the proper utilization of: 1. abstracts 2. references

3. parenthetical citation

One can apply many different writing styles, research methodology, and

subject matters when writing a scholarly research paper concerning the

American legal system.

1.9.C.A -- Unranked

MEDIA AND TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES - Use media and technology resources for research, information analysis, problem solving, and decision making in content learning.

1.9.C.B -- Unranked

EVALUATING MEDIA SOURCES - Evaluate information found in selected sources on the basis of accuracy, validity, and appropriateness, importance, and social and cultural context.

1.8.12.C -- Essential

ORGANIZATION AND PRODUCTION OF FINAL PRODUCT - Analyze, synthesize, and integrate data, creating a reasoned product that supports and appropriately illustrates inferences and conclusions drawn from research.

1.8.12.B.c -- Essential

LOCATION OF INFORMATION AND CITING SOURCES - Synthesize information gathered from a variety of sources, including technology and one’s own research, and evaluate information for its relevance to the research question.

1.4.12.B.a -- Essential

INFORMATIONAL - Write complex informational pieces (e.g. research papers, literary analytical essays, evaluations) Make and support inferences with relevant and substantial evidence and well-chosen details.

11-12.W.7 -- Unranked

Conduct short as well as more sustained research projects to answer a question (including a self-generated question) or solve a problem; narrow or broaden the inquiry when appropriate; synthesize multiple sources on the subject, demonstrating understanding of the subject under investigation.

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Topic: 4. Research (throughout the 2nd nine weeks--once or twice a week) Subject(s):

Days:10

Grade(s):

11-12.W.8 -- Unranked

Gather relevant information from multiple

authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the strengths and

limitations of each source in terms of the task, purpose, and audience; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and overreliance on any one source and following a standard format for citation.

CCR.R.7 -- Unranked

Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse formats and media, including visually and

quantitatively, as well as in words. CCR.R.8 -- Unranked

Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity of the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the

evidence.

CCR.R.9 -- Unranked

Analyze how two or more texts address similar themes or topics in order to build knowledge or to compare the approaches the authors take.

Write a 10+ page research paper on an aspect of the American legal system utilizing the 7 steps to the "Research Method"

Utilize the proper American Psychological Association format in order to write the paper. Coordinate with the school librarian/media specialist in order to construct the paper.

Utilize the proper data bases, citation generators, and other research entities in order to maintain a high level of information literacy without plagiarizing.