American+Law+and+Justice

=American Law and Justice=

__**American Law and Justice Home**__ || Syllabus || **__Pacing Guide__** || Curriculum Map || Resources || Student Work ||

American Law and Justice: Semester 1 Level: Honors
Prerequisite: Completion of U.S. History I, U.S. History II, and Modern World History This informative semester course is the right choice for students with an interest in the criminal justice system. It consists of a series of units involving law, justice, and the courts. Emphasis is placed on such topics as criminal law, judicial decision making, law enforcement and the penal system. The course enables students to critically analyze policy choices related to crime, punishment, and rehabilitation. Throughout the year, students also learn about the range of careers available in the criminal justice system. Essential questions addressed during the course include What is crime? Who defines crime? What are the functions of a criminal justice system? How do criminal justice systems balance the safety of the community with individual rights? How do criminal and juvenile justice systems affect young people? Mock trials, debates, and position papers are a significant part of the curriculum. Some example projects include students learning and applying the various techniques used during a crime scene investigation, including what types of evidence to collect and how that evidence can be used to deduce information about the crime and/or perpetrator, and students role-playing prosecutors, criminal defense lawyers, jurors, and court personnel conducting a mock criminal trial.
 * 1) 02962 Credit: .5 (Semester course)

Rick Tivnan