Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
2013 – 2014
Elkhorn Crossing School
LAW & JUSTICE: FOUNDATIONS IN LAW
Mr. Michael W. Tackett, M.Ed., J.D.
Law & Justice Teacher
Room 125: Courtroom
michael.tackett@scott.kyschools.us
502-570-4920 Ext. 4425
Law & Justice Village
Elkhorn Crossing School
2001 Frankfort Pike
Georgetown, KY 40324
Welcome to Elkhorn Crossing School and the Law and Justice curriculum. “Make Yourself Proud”, as you have
chosen to be a part of ECS history by being the first Law & Justice class.
The Law & Justice curriculum has three primary goals:
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Equip students with a foundational understanding of the legal and criminal justice systems
Prepare students for post-secondary education and a range of career opportunities
Empower students to become reflective leaders who strive to improve the U.S. legal system
The Law and Justice curriculum will enable you to better understand the functions of the branches and levels of
U.S. government and to address issues of justice and equity across the legal landscape.
Throughout the curriculum, you will examine concepts, issues, and topics through six primary lenses:
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U.S. law and law enforcement
Career explorations
Philosophical and historical foundations
Power and fairness
Advocacy and policy
Comparative analysis
The curriculum is structured to support your development of key skills in critical thinking and problem solving,
research, reading, writing, speaking and presenting, and teamwork. In addition, unit activities enable you to
develop essential habits of mind and strategies for learning as you question text, investigate ideas, consider ethical
decisions, explore multiple viewpoints, and develop solutions to complex problems.
Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
Foundations in Law will help you better understand why we live under the rule of law and how laws are created,
enforced, interpreted, and changed. The course will enable you to explore diverse areas of law, including criminal
law, civil law, constitutional and civil rights, and international law. Foundations in Law consists of six (6) units that
each explore a set of essential questions.
Essential Questions
Foundations in Law Units
Why do we have laws? What is the
purpose of law in society?
Unit 1: Human Nature, Rules, and Power:
The Origins of Law
What are justice and injustice?
Unit 2: The Legal System in Action
Why are there different interpretations
of the law?
Unit 3: Criminal Law and the Pursuit of
Justice
How does the U.S. legal system affect
young people, and how can they help to
achieve justice in their communities?
Unit 4: Lawsuits and Liability: The Civil Justice
System
Unit 5: Equal Justice Under the Law:
Movements for Social, Political, and Legal
Equality
What are the different roles and
professions in the U.S. legal system?
Unit 6: International Law and Human Rights
COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 1: Human Nature, Rules, and Power: The Origins of Law
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The Rule of Law
Making, Enforcing, and Interpreting Rules and Laws
Changing Rules and Laws
Speaking Up
Unit 2: The Legal System in Action
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Bringing a Law to Life
Enforcing a Law
Advocacy and the Law
Effective Presentations
Taking it Public and Reflecting on the Experience
Unit 3: Criminal Law and the Pursuit of Justice
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Exploring Crime and Justice
Preparing a Plea
Plea Bargaining and Arraignment
Is the System Just?
Unit 4: Lawsuits and Liability: The Civil Justice System
Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
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A Civil Complaint
Building a Case
Preparing for Trial
Trial and Reflection
Unit 5: Equal Justice Under the Law: Movements for Social, Political, and Legal Equality
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Democracy and Civil Rights
Exploring Storytelling and Current Civil Rights Issues
Telling the Story
Taking it Public
Unit 6: International Law and Human Rights
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What are Human Rights?
Making Rules about Human Rights
Promoting and Protecting Human Rights
Making a Recommendation
Advocacy and Human Rights
MATERIALS
You will need the following materials throughout the school year:
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Pencils, Pens, and Highlighters
At least a 2 GB Flash Drive
1 (2 inch) three-ring binder
1 set of dividers for your three-ring binder
Notebook paper
GRADING SYSTEM
Grades will be determined by cumulative points on the following scale:
A
100 – 92
B
91 – 84
C
83 – 76
D
75 – 68
F
67 and Below
The grade reporting system will be consistent with the format used by Scott County High School and Elkhorn
Crossing School. Assessment will include evaluation in seven areas of concentration:
1.
Content: This grade reflects the student’s mastery of core content.
Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
2.
Work Ethic/Effort: This grade reflects the student’s commitment to complete assignments and
participate in class.
3.
Collaboration/Teamwork: This grade reflects the student’s ability to work in a group.
4.
Critical Thinking: This grade reflects the student’s ability to analyze and synthesize information.
5.
Writing Mechanics: This grade reflects the student’s mastery of grammar, spelling, and literary content.
6.
Integrated Projects: This grade reflects the student’s progress and completion of class projects with
appropriate research.
7.
Presentation Skills: This grade reflects the student’s ability to present information effectively to
audiences.
MAKE-UP & LATE WORK POLICIES
Make-Up Work: When you are absent, it is your responsibility to ask me what activities and work you missed. If
you missed an assignment, you will have as many days as you were absent to make up the assignment. For any
missed tests, you will have one week to make it up. You will have to make arrangements with me to take the test
outside of class time (before or after school) to avoid missing more instruction.
Late Work: If you miss a deadline (i.e., late work), I will accept the assignment one calendar day late for a 25%
deduction and two calendar days late for a 50% deduction. After this, you will not be allowed to earn any credit
for the assignment.
COURTROOM / CLASSROOM CODE OF CONDUCT
The Courtroom: This area consists of the partition wall and all areas and technology within (i.e, judge’s bench,
clerk’s bench, witness stand, jury box, plaintiff and defense tables). The following rules apply specifically to the
aforesaid area:
1.
No student is allowed beyond the partition wall without my permission, who has not passed the
preliminary bar exam, or who has not passed the Law & Justice Village bar exam.
2.
Do not lean against or sit on the partition wall.
3.
When role-playing, practicing, or conducting activities within the courtroom, a professional level of
courtesy and speech should be utilized. If someone is presiding as judge, then you should address that
person as “Your Honor”.
Be Respectful
1. Be an active, engaged learner. Keep a positive attitude.
2. Respect others and their property (this includes my desk and especially the courtroom).
3. Observe appropriate times for talking and listening. There should be absolutely no talking when I am
talking to the whole class or delivering instruction.
Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
4. Cooperate with and help others to succeed.
5. All cell phones, smartphones, iPads, iPods, and other electronic devices (not approved by myself) must be
silent and out of sight during instructional time and during assessments (absolutely no texting or other
type of electronic communication will be allowed during those times). I know these items are important
to you, so avoid having them confiscated by only having them out at appropriate times when you have
permission. WARNING: If your electronic device is confiscated by me it will result in your parent/guardian
being contacted in order to arrange a day after school to release the device. A confiscated electronic
device will only be released to the appropriate parent/guardian, in person, and at the school.
Be Responsible
1.
“Time is of the Essence”. BE ON TIME. You should be in YOUR seat when class begins. All assignments and
homework should be turned in by the assigned deadlines.
2.
Be prepared (Bring your binder, pencils, and other materials to class every day).
3.
Know and follow class routines.
4.
Use class time wisely and complete and turn in all of your assignments.
5.
Place all trash in trash cans. This courtroom belongs to you and your classmates. Take pride in it!
6.
When using laptops, iPads, and courtroom supplies, return all items to where they belong at the end of
class.
Be Safe
1.
Refrain from horseplay in the courtroom.
2.
Because the courtroom is housed within a former laboratory room, there is equipment that is not usually
found in a courtroom. The safety showers, fire alarms, and garage door are completely off limits. Do
not touch them. In addition, the chairs in the classroom have wheels for your convenience, but not for
your fun. Be responsible, respectful, and mature.
3.
Do not sit on tables or countertops.
Tours & Visitors
At ECS it is not uncommon to have visitors and tours of the classrooms on a weekly or even daily basis. When
visitors and/or tours enter the classroom I expect nothing to change. Your professionalism should remain and you
should continue with your work.
LOCKERS
Lockers are available for your use. Locks will not be issued to you, thus, if you plan to store personal property in a
locker you are advised to purchase a lock. Neither Elkhorn Crossing nor I will be responsible for any lost or stolen
property within the lockers; it is your responsibility to secure your property. If you wish to use a locker on a longterm basis, please inform me of your locker number so that I may keep a list of names and locker numbers.
Law & Justice – Elkhorn Crossing School
Guidelines and Expectations Signature Sheet
Please sign and return the following page by August 12, 2013, for 25 points.
I have read and understand the outlined syllabus and policies for Mr. Tackett’s Law & Justice
class. I will make an honest effort to follow the class expectations, policies, and procedures
on a daily basis.
Please check this box if you have internet access at home.
Student Name (please print) ____________________________________________________________
Student Signature: ____________________________________________________________________
Class Period: _____________
Parent or Guardian Contact Information:
Parent / Guardian Name (please print): __________________________________________________
Parent / Guardian Signature ___________________________________________________________
Relationship to Student: _______________________________________________________________
Phone: ______________________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________________________________________
I prefer to be contacted by:
Cell Phone
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Please check this box if you would be interested in volunteering in our village this year.
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