Legal Philosophers Slideshow Presentation
Task:
TASK 1- Research one of the assigned philosophers using textbooks and the internet. Use the
information to assemble and present a 5 – 10 minute PowerPoint or Prezi slideshow for your
classmates. These presentations will form the basis of your notes for this segment of the
course.
TASK 2- Research the SAME assigned philosopher using your textbooks and the internet to write
a 1 – 2 page report. Your report should include the following:
1) A title page (in APA format)
2) An intro paragraph featuring background information & general description of theory
3) Comparison of theory against another theorist of your choice.
4) Explanation of what you learned that you liked about your theorist
5) Explanation of aspects of theory that you did not like about your theorist
6) Application of theory to a current issue. (Information should be cited in APA format)
7) References page (APA Format)
Legal Theorists
 Socrates
 Plato
 Aristotle
 Cicero
 Hugo Grotius
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David Hume
Immanuel Kant
Jean Jacques Rousseau
St. Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Hobbes
Benjamin Franklin
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John Locke
Jeremy Bentham
John Austin
HLA Hart
John Rawls
Your research you are conducting should cover the key points, including:
 Time period in history and background
 Category of philosophy: natural or positive law. Explain how their philosophy fits in a
particular area.
 A summary of this person’s views on the law (contributions, viewpoints, influence, what
role should it play in society etc, who should obey laws etc). Slides should be organized
and categorized appropriately (labels, headings).
 Applicability of this person’s thinking still to present day law or legal issue. For instance,
show how the theorists view would apply to a current law in Canadian society.
Your presentation must have between 5 to 10 slides. You should include a fill in the blank
handout for your classmates to complete as you complete your slideshow. You should include
creative illustrations or images in your presentation.
You are also responsible for putting this information in your own words (i.e. you CANNOT cut
and paste from the internet – this is plagiarism) and organizing your slideshow to educate your
classmates. Information should be edited down into key point form (well edited and point
form). Each group member should alternate slides when presenting information.
Timeline: Presentations take place on _______________________
You have 2 classes to research and begin assembling your presentation. Computers with
internet access are available. You are responsible for uploading your presentation and one page
report to the teacher on the day the assignment is due (Either by email or by USB submission) I
should have your handout by this date also.
Overall Expectations
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Heritage 1: explain the historical and philosophical origins of law and their connection
and relevance to contemporary society.
Heritage 2: evaluate different concepts, principles, philosophies, and theories of law.
Heritage 3: describe the relationship between law and societal values.
Heritage 4: assess the influence of individual & collective action on the evolution of law.
Methods 1: use appropriate research methods to gather, organize, evaluate, and
synthesize information.
Methods 2: apply the steps in the process of legal interpretation and analysis.
Methods 3: explain, discuss, and interpret legal issues using a variety of formats and
forms of communication.
REPORT RUBRIC
Total value: 30 marks in the report task category. Your report will be evaluated based on the
following criteria:
Level 1
Content
(K)
Analysis
(T)
Mechanics
(C)
Comparisons
(A)
Student does not
have grasp of
information;
students cannot
answer questions
about subject.
Limited insight
regarding the
usefulness of
theorist views
today.
Students’ report
had significant
spelling errors
and/or
grammatical
errors.
Ability to
compare theorist
with limited
ability
Level 2
Student is
uncomfortable
with information
and is able to
answer only
rudimentary
questions.
Some insight
regarding the
usefulness of
theorist views
today.
The report had
some spelling
and grammatical
errors.
Ability to
compare theorist
with moderate
ability
Level 3
Level 4
/5
Student is at ease
with content, but
fails to elaborate.
Student
demonstrates full
knowledge (more
than required)
with explanations
and elaboration.
Considerable
insight regarding
the usefulness of
theorist views
today.
The report shows
considerable
grammatical,
punctuation and
spelling
accuracy.
Ability to
compare theorist
with considerable
ability
High degree of
insight regarding
the usefulness of
theorist views
today.
The report shows
a high degree of
grammatical,
punctuation and
spelling
accuracy.
Ability to
compare theorist
with a high
degree of ability
/10
TOTAL
/30
/5
/10
PRESENTATION RUBRIC
Total value: 70 marks in the performance task category. Your slide presentation will be
evaluated on the following criteria:
Level 1
(50 – 59%)
Organization
(K)
Content
(K)
Analysis
(T)
Audience cannot
understand
presentation
because there is no
sequence of
information.
Student does not
have grasp of
information;
students cannot
answer questions
about subject.
Limited insight
regarding the
usefulness of
theorist views
today.
Level 2
(60 – 69%)
Level 3
(70 – 79%)
Level 4
(80 – 89%)
Audience has
difficulty following
presentation because
student jumps
around.
Student presents
information in
logical sequence
which audience
can follow.
Student presents
information in logical,
interesting sequence
which audience can
follow.
/10
Student is
uncomfortable with
information and is
able to answer only
rudimentary
questions.
Student is at ease
with content, but
fails to elaborate.
Student demonstrates
full knowledge (more
than required) with
explanations and
elaboration.
/10
High degree of insight
regarding the
usefulness of theorist
views today.
/15
Presentation shows a
high degree of
grammatical,
punctuation and
spelling accuracy.
/5
Some insight
regarding the
usefulness of
theorist views today.
Considerable
insight regarding
the usefulness of
theorist views
today.
Presentation
shows
considerable
grammatical,
punctuation and
spelling accuracy.
Mechanics
(C)
Students’
presentation had
significant spelling
errors and/or
grammatical errors.
Presentation had
some spelling and
grammatical errors.
Delivery
(C)
Student mumbles,
incorrectly
pronounces terms,
and speaks too
quietly for students
in the back of class
to hear. Student
reads directly off
slide and does not
seek to explain.
Student incorrectly
pronounces terms.
Audience members
have difficulty
hearing presentation.
Student reads
directly off slide and
does not seek to
explain.
Students’ voice is
clear. Students
pronounce most
words correctly.
Student does not
rely on side and
seeks to explain.
Student used a clear
voice and correct,
precise pronunciation
of terms. Student
engages class with
presentation skill.
Strong eye contact and
high ability to explain
information
/10
Student used no
visuals.
Student occasionally
used visuals that
rarely support text
and presentation.
Visuals related to
text and
presentation.
Student used visuals
to reinforce screen
text and presentation.
/20
Technology
(A)
Knowledge
/20
Thinking
/15
Communication
/15
Application
TOTAL
/20
/70