NCJ Number
66373
Date Published
Unknown
Length
45 pages
Annotation
THIS ARTICLE DISCUSSES REASONS AND GOALS FOR LAW-RELATED ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION AND SUGGESTS CURRICULUM DESIGN, CLASS ACTIVITIES, MEDIA, AND OTHER RESOURCES.
Abstract
MUCH EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT EDUCATION FOR RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP IS NOT BEING PROVIDED IN MOST SCHOOLS, AND MANY CITIZENS ARE IGNORANT OF THE CONSTITUTION AND CONVINCED IT DOES NOT WORK. THUS, LAW-RELATED EDUCATION SHOULD TEACH OR ENCOURAGE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDES, ETHICS, AND MORALS SO THAT CITIZENS MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT LIVING WITHIN A SOCIAL CONTRACT DEFINED BY LAW AND LEARN BETTER WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A CITIZEN. SKILLS TO BE DEVELOPED SHOULD INCLUDE READING LEGAL DOCUMENTS, UNDERSTANDING LAW-RELATED ISSUES, AND MAKING SOUND JUDGMENTS ABOUT LAW AND SOCIETY. STUDENTS SHOULD ALSO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LEGAL SYSTEM. TO DEVELOP DEMOCRATIC ATTITUDES, STUDENTS SHOULD LEARN TO RECOGNIZE THEIR OWN WORTH, UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY FOR RESTRAINTS ON BEHAVIOR, DEMONSTRATE RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY AND THE INDIVIDUAL, AND SHOW WILLINGNESS TO EXAMINE OPPOSING POINTS OF VIEW. IDEAS TO BE DISCUSSED IN ANY-LAW RELATED COURSE ARE DEFINED AND INCLUDE SOCIAL CONTRACT, DUE PROCESS, LAW, JUSTICE, AND OTHERS. COMMUNITY, NATIONAL, AND MEDIA RESOURCES ARE DISCUSSED, AND DESCRIPTIONS OF PILOT PROGRAMS IN SEVERAL ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS ARE PROVIDED. CASE STUDIES, ROLEPLAYING, AND FIELD TRIPS ARE SUGGESTED AS CLASS ACTIVITIES. TABLES ARE INCLUDED. (PAP)