Social Studies Curriculum

History/Social Sciences Electives

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Adopted January 1999

Law Studies

Course Description:

Law Studies is the place to discover how the legal system works. This course aids students in applying legal principles and procedures through active participation in civil, criminal, and constitutional mock trials.

Sample questions that will be examined in Law Studies include:

• What rights do you think you have?
• What are the major types of law?
• Why do we have an adversarial system?
• How well will you do in court?
• How do we make justice happen?
• How is justice carried out in Alaska?

The course title and description have been approved by the Anchorage School Board. This course outline is meant to serve as an example of one possibility for organizing this class. It does not represent the only way the course may be organized. Each course outline has been written by a different teacher so there will be differences in the approach used from one course to another.

Course Goals:

Through this course students will:

• Develop a practical understanding of law and the legal system that will be of use to students in their everyday lives.

Course Objectives:

The student will:

• Understand the roles that law, lawyers, law enforcement officers, and the legal system play in our society.
• Understand the fundamental principles and values underlying our Constitution, laws, and legal system.
• Explain the concept of justice and the differences between distributive, corrective, and procedural justice.
• Develop a greater sense of justice, tolerance, and fairness.
• Explain and evaluate the implications of specific laws and/or court decisions on individual rights and responsibilities.
• Understand the need for effective citizen participation in our legal system.
• Become aware of current issues and controversies relating to law and the legal system.
• Improve critical thinking, reasoning, communication, observation, and problem solving skills through participation in mock trials.

Course Outline:

1. Introduction to Law and the Legal System
   1. What is Law?
      1. Law and Values
      2. Limits of the Law
      3. Rights and Responsibilities
   2. Kinds of Laws.
   3. Lawmaking
   4. Courts
      1. Criminal Court
      2. Civil Court
      3. Small Claims Court
   5. Settling Disputes out of Court
   6. The Adversary System
   7. The Jury
   8. Lawyers
2. Civil Law
   1. Torts
      1. Intentional Torts
      2. Negligence
      3. Strict Liability
   2. Consumer Law
      1. How laws protect the consumer
      2. Protecting consumer rights
   3. Contracts
   4. Family Law
3. Criminal Law
   1. Crimes Against the Person
   2. Crimes Against Property
   3. Substance Abuse
   4. Criminal Justice Process
   5. Search and Seizure
   6. Juvenile Justice
4. Constitutional Law
   1. Freedom of Speech
   2. Freedom of the Press
   3. Freedom of Religion
   4. The Right to Privacy
   5. Due Process
5. The Trial
   1. Right to Trial by Jury
   2. Right to a Speedy and Public Trial
   3. Right to Confront Witnesses
   4. Freedom from Self-Incrimination
   5. Right to an Attorney

Next: Sample Course Outlines - Minority Groups and Ethnic Cultures »