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

We talked about the death penalty today and various acts that could lead to it. This is a picture of what used to be Adolf Hitler's bunker in Berlin (taken this past June). Had he not committed suicide here, Hitler certainly would have faced the death penalty for his crimes against humanity.

Dear class,

Thank you for another fun, interesting, and productive conversation today! It is always so cool to hear where everyone is at in regards to the various issues of the day. Hopefully you remained engaged throughout! On to the recap.

Soundtrack: “I’m A Believer” by Smash Mouth. Selected because we talked in class about what we believe in regards to certain issues. Lyrics here.

AGENDA 9/26/13:
Tort Report
Finish Forced Choice
Reflection
Notebook Check

Homework: Have a great weekend! Make sure to have all work for your notebook check turned in or ready to turn in next week (see below for list). Read the blog! Next Tort Report assigned to James.

Tort Report: Sarah emailed me a Tort Report article, and it was really good. However, she missed class today, so I will hold onto it until next class, when both she and James will present.

Finish Forced Choice: I selected just a few of the questions to go over as a class, since we did not have enough time to address them all. Like I wrote above, I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation and debate! Thank you for engaging each other respectfully. Here are the questions again:

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).

Reflection: After the Forced Choice exercise, I assigned a one page (in class, though if you did not finish it, it is homework) written reflection. The questions I wanted to be sure you addressed are: What was the most difficult or controversial question for you? Why? How do these sorts of questions relate to the study of law?

Notebook Check: Finally, to end class, I showed the grading rubric for the notebook check and collected notebooks. I will go through these after school today. Here's what needs to be in your notebook/attached for a grade:

1. What Is Law? PowerPoint notes and student definition of law: _____ (5 points)

2. Daily Activities and the Law handout (10 activities and how they are impacted by law): _____ (5 points)

3. Criminal Law vs. Civil Law notes/table of differences: ____ (3 points)

4. Street Law - Chapter 1 Definitions and/or Intro to Law PowerPoint notes: _____ (5 points)

5. Intro to Law Vocab Review sheet (checks and balances/federalism/rights on front): _____ (3 points)

6. Last Intro notes (human rights, common law, adversary system, inquisitional system, legislative intent: _____ (3 points)

7. Forced Choice Reflection: _____ (6 points)

Total: _______ (out of 30 possible)

If you are at all confused about this, you came to the right place. Here are the documents that will help you with completing these assignments, if you missed class or misplaced earlier papers:

1) Google Drive - What is Law? PowerPoint

2) The daily activities sheet was a handout in class. If you do not have one, please see me for another copy.

3) This was a table that we completed together in class on the overhead. Please see me for a copy of it.

4) The book has the definitions, or you could just read through this: Google Drive - Introduction to Law Vocabulary PowerPoint.

5) Again, this was a handout in class that we went through together. I have extra copies in the room if needed.

6) Google Drive - Last Introductory Vocab Document.

7) Please see the "Reflection" section above.

Have a great weekend (after classes tomorrow). See you on Monday!