Street Law
Mr. Weiss
Room 2929/393-3485 ext. 2929//Conference: 8th Period
Facebook Group: Mr. Weiss’ HHS Classroom/Twitter: @WeissJarrod
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Street Law is a one-semester elective course and is intended to provide HHS students with an opportunity to study the legal, judicial, law enforcement, and corrections systems of the United States. The class will focus on constitutional law, general legal principles, and the laws and procedures derived from them. We will study constitutional law, civil and criminal laws, court procedures, and civil rights.
Course Structure:
This Street Law course is intended to provide students with the ability to understand government, individual rights, laws and legal disputes. We will accomplish this through case studies, mock trials, legal research, and other methods. We will also look at the roles played by lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals. It is hoped that students will gain a practical understanding of law and the legal system, and how it relates to their everyday lives.
Some of the topics that we may cover this semester include:
· The Historical Roots of Western Law
· U.S. Constitution and Landmark Cases
· Ohio Constitution and State and Local Laws
· The Legal System, Courts, Judges and Lawyers
· Criminal Law
· Criminal Procedure and Trials
· Justice for Convicted Criminals and Juveniles
· Tort Law
· Contract Law
· Family Law
Classroom Media Usage: This class will use movies to illustrate the different areas and topics within the subject of law. Some of these movies contain violence, strong language and adult content and some movies are rated “PG-13” and “R”. If you do not want you student participating in these movies and their assignments, please indicate so on the attached permission form. If you decline to allow your student to participate there will be an alternate assignment available to them.
The movies that may be used in the class include:
· Anatomy of Murder
· To Kill a Mockingbird
· The Verdict
· Law & Order (TV Show)
· 12 Angry Men
· Dead Man Walking
· A Civil Action
· Philadelphia
· Kramer vs. Kramer
· Counsellor at Law
Course Goals and Objectives:
By the conclusion of this course:
· Students will understand how law and the legal system can affect them in their everyday lives
· Students will understand the fundamental principles and values underlying our Constitutions, laws, legal procedures and legal system organization
· Students will understand the structure of our national and state governments, including the limitations (checks and balances) our constitutions place on governments
· Students will understand the rights guaranteed to individuals by the U.S. and Ohio Constitutions
· Students will understand basic court procedures in criminal, civil and juvenile cases
· Students will demonstrate an understanding of basic trial procedures and strategies
· Students will develop an awareness of current issues and controversies relating to the
Constitution, laws and the legal system
· Students will understand of the importance of citizen participation in our legal system
· Students will improve their understanding of the roles that law, lawyers, and law enforcement officials play in our society
Graded Activities:
1. Keep all originals of all returned assignments, tests, articles, and quizzes in your notebook.
Should a question arise about your grade, you will need to produce the evidence.
2. Be prepared to take pop quizzes over the readings, assignments, and class lectures.
3. Tests cover the material studied in class including lectures, discussions, movies, projects, presentations, reading assignments.
4. Assignments, projects, and participation in activities make up approximately 40% of your grade. These proportions are approximate and subject to change at instructor discretion.
Grades will be based upon total number of points possible divided by total number of points received.
Late Policy: Work needs to be turned in on the assigned date to receive full credit. If you miss a test, you will have ONE WEEK to make it up. You will not make this up during class. You will need to come in during Home room time or my conference period. It will be your responsibility to schedule this time with me to make up the test. If you miss class, you are responsible to get any assignments. I will leave the work I hand out on the counter top underneath the cabinets in my room. I WILL NOT track you down to ensure you picked up the missing assignments. I will accept late work in order to help you not fall behind during the school year, but you will receive a 20% deduction for late work.
I GRANT permission for my student, ________________________, to participate in the movies involved in this class. Parent Signature:_____________________________
I DO NOT give permission for my student, _______________________, to participate in the movies involved in this class. Parent Signature:___________________________
My student does not have permission to watch these specific movies (list below):