Course Title: American Legal Systems Board Approval Date: 06/16/14 Credit / Hours: 0.5 credit Course Description: 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. Learning Activities / Modes of Assessment: 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) Instructional Resources: 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 5 th edition are different than those contained in the 8 th edition, however, they are no less valuable.
Course Pacing Guide Course: Mathematics Grade 1 Course: American Legal Systems Course Unit (Topic) Length of Instruction (Days/Periods) Course Unit (Topic) 1. Number Sense Length of Instruction (Days/Periods) 20 days 2. Addition 1. Introduction and Subtraction and History of the American Legal System 20 25 days 3. Data 2. The and Supreme Graphing Court 15 25 days 4. Geometry 3. Criminal Law and Due Process 15 30 days 5. Measurement 4. Research 20 10 days 6. Fractions 20 days 7. Money 20 days DAYS TOTAL 8. Patterns 90 Days 20 days 9. Trig/Angles 15 days 10. Preview: Double Digit Addition with Regrouping 10 days
Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Days: 25 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. Page 1 of 3
Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Days: 25 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 5.3.C.A. -- Unranked 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 Page 2 of 3
Topic: 1. Introduction and history of the American Legal System Days: 25 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. Page 3 of 3
Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Writ of Mandamus Judicial Review "The Miller Test" Exclusionary Rule Interstate Commerce vs. Intrastate Commerce (clauses) delegated vs. reserved powers Fugitive Slave Clause The Supreme Court is very influential in individuals', governments' & society's functioning. 5.3.C.B. -- Unranked Analyze the roles of local, state, and national governments in policy-making. 5.3.C.A. -- Unranked 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 Days: 25 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 5.3.C.H. -- Unranked Evaluate the role of mass media in setting public agenda and influencing political life. 5.2.C.A. -- Unranked 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.) 8.3.C.B. -- Unranked 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.) 8.3.C.A. -- Unranked 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.) Page 1 of 3
Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Days: 25 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 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. 23. Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health 24. US v. Salerno 25. Mapp v. Ohio 26. NJ v. TLO 27. Gideon v. Wainwright Page 2 of 3
Topic: 2. The Supreme Court Days: 25 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 Page 3 of 3
Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Days: 30 Deviance and theories behind why people become deviant, including: 1. The "labeling theory" 2. The "cultural transmission" theory 3. Structural Strain 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. 5.2.C.B. -- Unranked Analyze strategies used to resolve conflicts in society and government. 5.2.C.A. -- Unranked Contrast the rights and responsibilities of a citizen in a democracy with a citizen in an authoritarian system. 4. Natural causes 5. Inadequate social control primary deviance secondary deviance differential association Behaviorism 5.3.C.F. -- Unranked Explain the Supreme Court s role in interpreting the U.S. Constitution. Individual rights States rights Civil rights 5.3.C.B. -- Unranked Analyze the roles of local, state, and national governments in policy-making. 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 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. Page 1 of 3
Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Days: 30 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 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. b. second degree murder c. voluntary manslaughter d. involuntary manslaughter e. negligent homicide f. justified homicide kidnapping assault battery stalking cyber-stalking bullying Page 2 of 3
Topic: 3. Criminal Law and Due Process Days: 30 arson vandalism receiving stolen property unauthorized use of a vehicle cargacking cybercrime Page 3 of 3
Topic: 4. Research (throughout the 2nd nine weeks--once or twice a week) The "scientific" research method (a.k.a. the "research method"): 1. Define the issue 2. Review the existing literature 3. Generate a hypothesis 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. Days: 10 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 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 selfgenerated 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. Page 1 of 2
Topic: 4. Research (throughout the 2nd nine weeks--once or twice a week) Days: 10 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. Page 2 of 2