Period 2: Intro to Civil Law, Day 1 - Class Recap

Our class today was somewhat like Olympic fencing, with the forced choice debates! On the right is Mariel Zagunis (picture taken on August 1, 2012), who carried the US flag at the Opening Ceremony of the London Olympics and is the cousin of my good friend Joe Zagunis.

Hi everyone,

I love days like today and just getting to mostly listen to everyone talk about their perspective on issues. Thank you all for participating - I am really excited to continue next class!

Soundtrack: “Get Up, Stand Up” by Bob Marley. Selected as the entrance music for today because the class was asked to take a stand on various issues and explain why. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 9/24/13:
Tort Report
Blog Recap
Test Grades/Review
Forced Choice

Homework: Read the blog! Next Tort Report assigned to: Sarah.

Tort Report: Today's report on a civil case (this one is about civil liberties) was brought in by Shakti, who selected: PolicyMic.com - Florida v. Harris Supreme Court 2013 Decison: SCOTUS Sides Against Civil Liberties Argument. So this is actually the OPPOSITE of what Shakti said - in fact, the court ruled that drug sniffing dogs ARE enough to get probable cause to search someone. I will have to clear that up next class, because I don't want anyone thinking incorrectly when police dogs are around!

Blog Recap: I again went over this website and the importance of checking it to keep up with what is going on in class. If you did before the test, you knew one of the answers already! Please be in the habit of reviewing here before and after each class. This is also an important tool if you would like help with anything - just comment and I will get back to you ASAP.

Test Grades/Review: I passed back all the tests that were taken on Friday and went through the answers. I also explained how I scored it, with 25 being the maximum. Your full class grades as of about 7:15 AM this morning are posted in the classroom, by Student ID number. I will be refreshing these as the semester goes along so you know exactly where you are at. If you are unhappy with your test grade, you may retake a version of the same material by attaching full test corrections to your test (What did you get wrong? Why? How would you fix it to make it correct?) and turning it in to me when you are ready to retake it.

Forced Choice: If you missed class or want to review the statements again, here is what we are debating on in class as another introduction to thinking about the elements of law in our lives. Remember, you must select either YES or NO and be prepared to talk about it in class.

1. Giving up some of our rights (like our phones being listened to without a warrant) is necessary for our own protection. 

2. The Second Amendment means that everyone in the US has the right to have any weapons that they want.

3. It bothers me that the National Security Administration/federal government can see whatever we do online. 

4. Marijuana should be legalized everywhere for recreational use.

5. Organized prayer in public schools should be allowed.

6. There are too many unnecessary  lawsuits in the United States.

7. The government of a country should have the power to make decisions that the majority of the people in it do not support.

8. Someone is always at fault for beginning a conflict.

9. I support the idea of a “three strikes” law, where criminals that are convicted of three different felonies automatically get life in prison.

10. Should the motto “In God We Trust” be removed from our currency?

11. I agree that people who are convicted of taking the lives of others should have the death penalty available as an option for punishment.

12. Should convicted felons be allowed to vote?

13. A ban on all guns would reduce crime in the United States.

14. People in power are always corrupt in some way.

15. I think the idea of mandatory minimum sentences are a good idea (like Measure 11 in Oregon – 25 years for murder, 5 year and 10 months for second degree Assault).

We were able to get through the first five questions with this class. On Thursday, we will continue talking (I doubt we will do all of them) and then write a reflection on the exercise. Again, I love this activity because it brings up such great student directed ideas and concepts. I also love just listening to various perspectives and thinking about the issues myself. Many of them are tough for a reason!