Street Law

All assignments will be posted on google classroom!

Mrs. Kissamis

heidi.kissamis@d426.org

STREET LAW SYLLABUS

Contact Information:

email - heidi.kissamis@d426.org
phone - 815-522-2654

The best way for students to contact me is to talk to me in class, before school or after school. Students and parents can also email or call about any issue I will get back to you as soon as possible.

Course Description:

This course is designed to introduce students to the study of law. The class will cover basic concepts including what law is, how it is formed, court room procedures, criminal law and civil law.

Course Objectives: As a result of this course, students will be able to…

evaluate how meaning of law and social influence on how laws are formed
evaluate the methods utilized by people and institutions to promote change through law
evaluate courtroom procedures
analyze different aspects of criminal law
analyze different types of civil law
strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills

Academic Expectations:

Have class materials ready to use
We will be using Google classroom - chromebooks must be brought to class and be charged every day
Respect the classroom and everyone in it - INCLUDING YOURSELF
Listen carefully to directions and follow them
Be ready to think–participate–learn!
You may be called on to answer questions
When you are given class time to work, you need to be working
You need to be an active participant in group work
Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.
Students are expected to follow the rules regarding chromebook usage given by the office

Academic Honesty:

Students are expected to complete their own work.
Any plagiarized work will automatically be counted as a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment.
If you allow someone to copy your work you will also receive a zero without the opportunity to make up the assignment.
No Communication (verbal, non verbal, electronic, etc.) during tests. Any communication or use of a cell phone will be automatically counted as a zero.

Behavioral Expectations:

No snacks– water in clear containers only
Be on time
Pick up all trash and don’t make a mess
Do not write on the desk
Keep your hands and feet to yourself (even if you are playing)
Respect others opinions
Be good listeners (no talking when someone else is talking)
No putting someone else down
no swearing
No yelling or other behavior which distracts other students and/or your teacher
NO PHONES
- if you have a cell phone you will be required to place it in the cell phone holder
- you may not charge you cell phone on your chromebook
Students are expected to follow the rules in the Parent/Student Handbook in this classroom.

Discipline Policy:

good behavior will be rewarded with Hawk Pride cards
students demonstrating poor classroom behavior may have the following consequences

verbal reminder
verbal warning
discuss behavior with teacher either during or afterclass
office referral and/or detention (call home to discuss behavior with parents/guardian)

* the teacher reserves the right to send anyone to the office immediately if the behavior warrants removal from the classroom

Tardy Policy:

students must show up to class on time. In the event that a student is tardy,

1st tardy: Enter into grade book, verbal warning

2nd tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning,

3rd tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home

4th tardy: enter into grade book, verbal warning, call home, detention

Hall Passes:

You will use the “my homework” app to access hall passes
YOU MUST ASK ME FOR PERMISSION FIRST
You may only ask to leave the room during “work time” - Not when I am talking/working with the class as a whole.
If the “my homework” app denies your request - see me
If the “my homework” app approves your request

Show me your pass
Leave your chromebook where I can see your pass
Click the return button when you return (tell me when you return if I have created your pass)

Academic Grades:

Grades are based on total points accumulated on quizzes, tests, homework, class assignments, daily class participation, and projects for the quarter. All work combined is worth 80% of the semester grade.
Final exams are worth 20% of the final semester grade.
Semester grades are calculated as percentages using a scale of 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60%= D, <60% = F.

Required Materials:

textbook
chromebook
headphones or earbuds
notebook and paper
writing utensil

Late Work:

Students are expected to turn their class work in on the due date. Work turned in after the due date will be marked down 20%. All work for a unit is due before the end of a unit (test/project).
Students are always free to discuss with me the reason their class work is late; if they do this when the assignment was originally due, then the late penalty may not be applied.

Makeup Work:

Students have one school day for each day absent to turn in all makeup work (unless arrangements are made with the instructor for more time).
Not all class activities can be made up, as they require direct participation by the student.

Tentative Course Outline:

Introduction to law

What is Law?
1. Law and values
2. Human rights
3. Balancing rights with responsibilities
4. Kinds of laws

The court system
1. Trial courts
2. Appeals courts
3. Supreme court
4. International courts
5. Military courts

Lawyers
1. When do you need a lawyer
2. How to find a lawyer
3. How to become a lawyer

Criminal Law

Introduction to criminal law
Crime categories (person vs. property)
Defenses
Stages of a criminal proceeding
1. Investigation
2. Pre-trial proceedings
3. Trial
4. Sentencing
5. corrections
Juvenile justice
Mock trial

Civil Law

Torts
1. Liability and types
2. Torts in court
  1. Class action suits
3. Insurance and workers compensation
4. Strict liability

Consumer law
1. Contracts
2. Warranties
3. Deceptive sales practices
4. Smart consumer

Family law
1. Wills
2. Parental responsibility
3. Child abuse and neglect