American Law and Justice

American Law and Justice is a full year, junior or senior course designed to provide students with a practical understanding of law and the legal system, to improve understanding of the fundamental principles and values underlying our Constitution, laws, and legal system, to promote awareness of current issues and controversies relating to law and the legal system, to encourage effective citizen participation in our legal system, and to bring about a greater sense of justice, tolerance, and fairness. The course is designed to improve basic skills, including critical thinking and reasoning, communication, observation, and problem solving. The curriculum includes a balance of legal knowledge, application of this knowledge, and experiential activities. Activities include legal case studies, mock-trials, role-plays, small group exercises, and the use of community resource people in the classroom, such as lawyers and police officers. The course includes real-life opportunities related to law such as law-related field trips and job shadowing experiences.