Opposing Viewpoints – Criminal Law

Please choose from the following list of topics. With a partner, you will present the topic to the class (using the readings provided on the web site) and conduct a class discussion with your peers. Your goal is to inform your fellow classmates of the arguments on each side of the issue. You don’t necessarily have to agree with your chosen point (but it would help if you did), but at least be able to teach it to the class. You and your partner will then lead the class in a discussion of the topic. This grade will be shown on the 2nd/4th quarter grade.

For credit, complete the following (40 Points):

  1. a summary of your argument (with evidence from the reading to support your side), [10 Points]
  2. include any updates to your topic on either side, [5 Points]
  3. your opinion on the topic, [10 Points]
  4. a political cartoon (or graphic) that explains your topic. Make sure that you can explain it to the class. [5 Points]
  5. two questions for class discussion (the same as the Current Event format), [10 Points]

All of this can be accomplished if you present using PowerPoint. Just include the above requirements on your PowerPoint.

Topic Choices will be taken in class on: ______.

Presentations will be on Mondays, starting on: ______.

Sources – All sources/information can be found using the following source:

The Michigan E-Library

(if you do this from home, you have to add a Michigan’s drivers license number since the site is paid for by state taxes. Using this from home is entirely up to you, but it’s open/free to use in public schools).

  • Then, click on “Databases” (at the top menu),
  • then “Opposing Viewpoints in Context” (scroll down the screen to find it),
  • then, middle/center click on “view all” next to Law and Politics
  • then, in the dropdown window (it will show “Law and Politics” there), set it to “View All”

You can then “browse issues” at the top, or go to the web links/topics shown on the next page:

Topics:

Crime:

  1. Category: Prisons Jalen/Isabel

Do prisons deter crime?

Yes

No

  1. Category: White-Collar Crime Lanie/Emily

Do white-collar criminals do prison time?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Bullying Aiden/Ethan

Is bullying is a serious problem in schools?

Yes

No

Activism

  1. Category: Celebrity Culture Lucas/Luke

Does celebrity philanthropy have an impact?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Judicial Activism Brendan/ Nick

Is judicial activism necessary?

Yes

No

Civil Rights

  1. Category: Freedom of Speech Isabel/Olivia

Should freedom of speech be limited?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Freedom of Speech Olivia/Alexa L.

Should hate speech online be regulated?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Gun Control Zach/Thawon

Would stricter controls reduce gun violence?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Student Rights Josh/Savannah

Should schools have broad authority to search students?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Teens and Privacy Jonathan/Jerry

Do teens have a right to privacy from their parents?

Yes

No

Youth

  1. Category: Juvenile Offenders AJ/Neil

Should the criminal system treat juveniles as adults?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Juvenile Offenders Leah/Zaid

Should juveniles be sentenced to life without parole?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Media Violence Rachel/Brendan S

Does media (tv, video games, music, etc.) cause youth violence?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Mobile Phones (broad search) Alexa L./Alexis

Should cell phones be banned in public schools?

Yes

No

  1. Category: Zero Tolerance Policies Elisha/Ethan

Are zero tolerance policies necessary at U.S. schools?

Yes

No