Class Description

(open to juniors/seniors) This course is a study of laws and legal rights. It involves a study of how the law works and how the legal system influences your life. The course will deal with both civil and criminal law. It will acquaint students with the judicial process and provide an opportunity to examine and discuss the implications of the law.

Class Expectations

Quizzes:

A 25 to 40 point quiz will be given every 5 to 8 days of classroom work.

Assignments:

A 10 point assignment grade will be given every 2-4 assignments.

Projects:

An 80 point project grade will be given for every unit . Due dates will be posted under assignments on Law web site.

Participation / Effort /Attendance:

Every quarter 40 points will be awarded for positive contribution to law class.

Contact:

The e-mail link is at the top of the page. I try to check it every day. You may also call me at home 722-3344. I have teenagers- good luck getting through. If you want to talk to me at school (737-4114) , good times to call are, 7:30- 8:20 a.m., and 2:30 -4:00 p.m. We also have voice mail at Unity, 737-DUNK. My message box number is 131.

Class Outline

Law is a one semester elective course for juniors & seniors. It examines the legal system as it pertains to our daily lives.

Text: Street Law,A Course in Practical Law. West Educational Publishing. Sixth Edition. 1999.

Objectives:

1. To master the concepts and basic knowledge of law as it relates to our daily lives.
2. To be able to develop and express their philosophy on how law can be used to promote good and punish evil.
3. To be able to develop and express their philosophy on when laws work, when they are counterproductive, and when laws have limited impact on changing human behavior.
4. To develop critical thinking skills that take into account, our calling before God, the law, and the complex nature of our modern world.
5. To examine and personalize the many vocational opportunities in law.

A. Introduction to Law

1. Law and Values
2. Lawmaking bodies and settling disputes
3. Trial courts and appeals courts
4. Lawyers,judges, and jury selection
5. Adversary system; is the fight fair? good?

B. Criminal Law(1)

1. The causes of crime and crime statistics
2. Gangs: reasons for and efforts against
3. Guns, drugs and alcohol; what should law do?
4. Classification of crimes
5. Crimes against the person and against property

C. Criminal Law (2)

1. Defenses in criminal court
2. Investigative phase of law enforcement
3. Individual rights vs law responsibility to prosecute crime and protect society
4. Pretrial proceedings and trial procedure
5. Sentencing and punishment: different methods and reasons for
6. Christian thoughts (and debate) on crime and punishment

D. Juvenile Justice

1. Different terminology and philosophy
2. Recent trend; more copy "adult" court. Good trend?
3. Aftercare programs

E. Civil Court

1. The standard of preponderance of evidence
2. Intentional torts and defenses of
3. Negligence and defense of
4. Strict liability and defense of
5. Tort reform: a Christian looks at our "sue happy" society

F. Consumer Law

1. Contracts and warranties
2. Deceptive sales practices
3. Small claims court
4. Leases and landlord -tenant negotiations

G. Family Law

1. What is a family?
2. The legal aspects of marriage
3. child abuse and neglect
4. separation and divorce
5. foster care and adoption
6. What laws are effective in promoting the Christian concept of marriage?