NCJ Number
45047
Date Published
1977
Length
151 pages
Annotation
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES FOR TEACHING BASIC LAW TO STUDENTS AT ALL LEVELS ARE PRESENTED IN A TEACHERS' GUIDE FORMAT.
Abstract
LAW EDUCATION FOR ALL STUDENTS, OTHER THAN LAWYERS, HAS BEEN LACKING. INSTRUCTION IN THIS AREA IS NECESSARY BECAUSE OF ITS RELEVANCE TO EVERYDAY LIFE. THIS TEACHING METHODOLOGY BOOK IS INTENDED FOR USE BY PRESERVICE AND INSERVICE TEACHERS OF ALL ACADEMIC LEVELS. IT CONTAINS NOTES FOR EACH DIFFERENT LEVEL, AND ENABLES TEACHERS TO SELECT ACTIVITIES TO USE WHEN TEACHING ABOUT THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM. EACH CHAPTER INCLUDES VALUABLE 9INSTRUCTIONAL HINTS-DEFINITION OF THE METHODS, PURPOSE OF THE METHOD, KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR CLASSROOM TEACHING, PROCEDURES FOR ITS USE, PRECAUTIONS ABOUT ITS USE (WHEN NECESSARY), HOW THE METHOD SUITS THE STUDY OF LAW, SAMPLE ACTIVITIES, AND FOLLOWUP PROCEDURES. THE AMERICAN LEGAL SYSTEM IS OUTLINED, INCLUDING AN EXPLANATION OF THE CONSTITUTION FROM A HISTORICAL POINT OF VIEW, AND A WORKING DESCRIPTION OF THE JUDICIAL AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS. THE CASE STUDY METHOD IS PRESENTED AS A STRATEGY WHICH WILL ALLOW THE STUDENT TO GRASP SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS OF LAWS. SEVERAL ADVANTAGES OF THIS METHOD ARE THAT THE STUDENT WILL BEGIN TO USE ANALYTICAL THINKING, IT GIVES THE TEACHER FEEDBACK ON THE STUDENT'S LEARNING PROGRESS, AND THE STUDENT MAY BE GIVEN A CHANCE TO EXPRESS HIS IDEAS IN AN ESSAY WHICH WILL SHOW THE TEACHER IF HE HAS LEARNED ANYTHING. A LESSON IN VALUES ANALYSIS IS PRESENTED, SO THE STUDENT CAN LEARN THE UNDERLYING VALUES OF LAW AND THE DECISIONMAKING PROCESS. ACTIVITIES FOR THIS LESSON INCLUDE PRO AND CON ARGUMENTATION, DISCRIMINATING HARD CHOICES ANALYZING HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS, MAKING VALUE JUDGEMENTS, A VOTING GAME, AND MINORITY RIGHTS ANALYSIS. ROLE PLAYING, SIMULATION, AND MOCK TRIALS ARE DISCUSSED AS STRATEGIES TO USE IN INCREASING STUDENT INVOLVEMENT AND AWARENESS, TO PRACTICE DECISIONMAKING AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION, AND TO INTRODUCE NEW CONCEPTS AND ADD REALISM. COMMUNITY-BASED EDUCATION IS DISCUSSED WITH ADVICE ON THE USE OF FIELD TRIPS AND EXTERNAL RESOURCES. THIS PROVIDES THE STUDENT WITH A WIDER VIEWPOINT ON THE LEGAL PROCESSES. METHODS OF EDUCATION EVALUATION ARE PRESENTED, ALONG WITH SUGGESTIONS FOR INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES AND SELF-EVALUATION. DESCRIPTIVE CHARTS FOR EDUCATIONAL EVALUATION ARE INCLUDED. (BAC)