Law
Welcome to Business Law. The goal of this course is to aid you, the student, in having a better understanding of how the principles of law are applied from the government’s and the people’s perspective, both from the side of the prosecution and defense. The goal of this course is to educate you about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in this course students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking and problem analysis.
The main point of this course will be to use evidence to formulate arguments and counter arguments to convince others that a desired point of view is correct. The law is unfortunately not always about who is right or wrong but about who is able to use evidence to convince others that their point of view is correct or the most likely option
Coarse goals and objectives for students include:
Be able to deeply analyze evidence and arrive at conclusions
The ability to formulate arguments using evidence
The ability to formulate counter arguments using evidence
The ability to formulate arguments for a point of view even if you don’t believe in it.
The ability to articulate and reason verbal using evidence to support your point of view.
Required Materials
Notebook paper or spiral notebook
Pencil or pen
School-issued Chromebook (charge it each night, and bring it to school each day)
Folder or Binder to keep track of handouts and assignments
Classroom Rules
Respect yourself and others. It is ok to have different beliefs from others, but understand that just as you do not have to believe what another does, they do not have to believe what you do either. (If you follow this rule all other rules will already be taken care of.)
Follow all Fox Creek High School rules at ALL times.
Be on time. When the tardy bell rings, the door closes. If you are late, go to the attendance office to get a tardy slip. Students will not be admitted to class after the bell without a pass.
NO PHONES
No hats, hoodies, etc. on inside the building.
No food/drinks are allowed in class. Water in a secure container is acceptable.
Stay seated until the bell rings (DO NOT line up at the door)
Classroom Procedures
Bring materials to class EVERY DAY.
Use the restroom BEFORE class.
Be seated in your desk BEFORE the tardy bell rings. If there is an assignment on the board, go ahead and get started as soon as you get seated.
Participate in the class. Participation will help you whether you know the correct answers or not.
Course Requirements
Students will be required to complete daily assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, as well as attend the mock trial competitions (whether they have been selected to participate or not). Minimum of 1 possibility of 3. Not attending the competitions will result in a zero which can only be made up in extreme circumstances.
Semester exams will be given at the end of each semester. Semester exams count as 20% of the overall grade for the semester.
Homework/Classwork Requirements
During an average week, students will be required to complete assignments or activities in class and may receive homework assignments. Most homework assignments will require students to read, answer questions, or review vocabulary. During class students will be required to read and analyze various documents and formulate arguments based on evidence, all while being assigned a point of view..
Grading Policy
Make up Work
One day for each day out. After time has passed work is considered late.
Late Work
I do not accept any late work unless there are extenuating circumstances. If your assignment is late, it is a zero.
Plagiarism
All major assignments (projects, essays, etc.) will be submitted to an online plagiarism checker, Turnitin.com. Plagiarism is when you present someone else's work as your own original work. Make sure all major written assignments are in your own words and any direct quotes are properly cited. Students will receive a zero for plagiarized assignments and will not get the opportunity to redo the assignment.
Mock Trial Activities 30%
Tests/Projects 30%
Quizzes 20%
Classwork/Homework 20%
To calculate Final grade:
1st Quarter Grade 40%
2nd Quarter Grade 40%
Semester Exam 20%
Ren Card Policy
“Teacher’s Choice” used as a homework pass. Projects are not considered homework. Extra points can not be added to the exam or any mock trial activities. If a student has multiple extra point items they cannot be combined.
Pacing Plan
Quarter 1
Analyze the concepts and mechanics of litigation.
Comprehend the vocabulary that is used in courtrooms.
Analyze and formulate a defensive or prosecutorial argument using evidence.
Become comfortable expressing evidence and ideals verbally.
Formulate arguments intelligently
Analyze cases and find mistakes that have been made.
Analyze evidence and differentiate between useful and non useful information
Analyze evidence and be able to prepare a defense against it.
Quarters 2-4
Analyze and formulate a defensive or prosecutorial argument using evidence.
Become comfortable expressing evidence and ideals verbally.
Formulate arguments intelligently
Analyze cases and find mistakes that have been made.
Analyze evidence and differentiate between useful and non useful information
Analyze evidence and be able to prepare a defense against it.
Compete in competitions against other teams in an effort to win a case.