Introduction to American Law: Goals and Course Outline

 

 

Textbook:  Street Law Sixth Edition

 

Goals: Students will be able to

 

  1. Gain a perspective on laws within the context of American government and explore the crucial roles and skills of citizens, legislators, attorneys, and judges as they work to preserve and strengthen the system of justice.
  2. Examine how law is related to values, human rights, and responsibilities within the framework of the Constitution.
  3. Recognize alternatives to adjudication and understand how dispute resolution skills are practiced.
  4. Understand the powers of the American court system
  5. Discuss law-related current event topics.
  6. Trace the social, political, technological and cultural changes to American society, and the reaction to these changes, from the legal system.

 

CONTENT OF COURSE

 

FIRST QUARTER

 

UNIT 1:  Introduction to the Law and the Legal

  1. Jurisprudence
  2. Lawmaking
  3. Alternative Dispute Resolution
  4. Adversary System
  5. Lawyer

 

UNIT 2:  Criminal Law and Juvenile Justice

  1. Causes of Crime
  2. General Considerations
  3. Preliminary Crimes
  4. Crimes Against the Person
  5. Crimes Against Property
  6. Defenses
  7. Criminal Justice System
  8. Treatment of Juveniles

 

UNIT 3:  Family Law

  1. The Changing Face of the American Family
  2. Marriage, Annulment and Divorce
  3. Singles
  4. The Parent- Child Relationship
  5. Government Assistance for Families

 

SECOND QUARTER

 

UNIT 4:  Torts

  1. Evolution of Tort Law
  2. Suing
  3. Intentional Torts, Negligence and Strict Liability
  4. Consumer Protection
  5. Frivolous Lawsuits

 

UNIT 5:  Individual Rights and Liberties

  1. Rights protected by the Bill of Rights and the 14th Amendment
  2. Balancing test and Constitutional floor
  3. Categories of rights.
  4. Issues raised by freedom of speech
  5. Freedom of the press
  6. Freedom of religion
  7. Due process

 

Introduction to American Law Proficiencies

 

Students will be able to …

 

ALL UNITS:

  1. Define vocabulary related to the Constitution, lawmaking, the court system, citizen advocacy, dispute resolution, and the legal system.
  2. Explain why rule of law is important in a democratic society.
  3. Evaluate the relationship between rights and responsibilities.           
  4. Describe the function of the U.S. Constitution in defining and limiting the powers of the Describe the significance of precedents established by the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

UNIT 1:  INTRODUCTION TO THE LAW AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM

  1. Brainstorm a list of laws that affect daily life and the reasons for those laws.
  2. Identify the powers of each branch of the government.
  3. Describe how judicial review can be used to interpret the Constitution and protect individual rights.
  4. Describe how and why constitutions may be amended.
  5. Describe ways the lawmaking process can be influenced by lobbyists and constituents.     
  6. Relate the powers of the Supreme Court justices to the controversies that accompany their nominations.

 

UNIT 2:  CRIMINAL LAW AND JUVENILE JUSTICE

  1. Identify various theories pertaining to the nature of crime.
  2. Follow the criminal process from investigation through conviction and sentencing.
  3. Identify contemporary issues in criminal law including gangs, guns, illegal substance abuse, computer crimes and defenses to criminal activities.
  4. Understand due process of law under the Fourth, Fifth and Six Amendments.
  5. Define vocabulary relating to criminal law, police investigations and procedure, court proceedings, corrections and punishment and  juvenile justice.

 

UNIT 3:  FAMILY LAW

 

  1. Comprehend how family affects citizens from birth through death.
  2. Identify issues in marriage and co-habitation, including financial responsibilities, domestic violence, palimony and paternity.
  3. Analyze child abuse and neglect situations, custody and child support
  4. Identify issues in foster care, adoption, separation, divorce, property  division and estates.

 

UNIT 4:  TORTS

 

  1. Define and properly use vocabulary associated with tort law concepts.
  2. Describe the purpose of tort law.
  3. Given case scenarios, be have to identify parties involved in tort actions.
  4. Explain the concept and purpose of liability.
  5. Determine whether the actions of persons involved are reasonable or unreasonable.

 

UNIT 5:  INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES

  1. Identify rights protected by the Bill of Rights and explain the impact of the 14th Amendment in expanding these rights.
  2. Explain and give examples of the concepts “balancing test” and “constitutional floor.”
  3. Explain the differences among the following: human rights, political and civil rights, and social and economic rights.
  4. Clarify issues relating to free speech: obscenity, defamation, fighting words, hate speech, and the evolving law related to speech on the internet.
  5. Explain and give examples of how the law balances free speech with issues of “time, place, and manner” and how it deals with “symbolic speech” issues.
  6. Articulate the value of a free press, define censorship, and explain the extent and limits of freedom of the press for student publications.
  7. Explain how the establishment clause and free exercise clause shape the way the law addresses issues of religious freedom.
  8. Explain the concept of due process and differentiate between procedural due process and substantive due process.

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