Lawmakers' Mock Trial: Historical Case Study

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Lawmakers' Mock Trial: Historical Case Study

Grade 10Social StudiesSociology1 days

In this project, 10th-grade students engage in a mock trial based on historical case studies to understand the judicial process and its impact on modern legal practices. By examining general provisions of criminal law, exploring case laws, and understanding different sources of law, students role-play in courtroom scenarios to deepen their comprehension of legal concepts. The project aims to enhance students' abilities in critical thinking, collaboration, and articulation of legal arguments while connecting historical legal contexts to contemporary systems. Overall, students produce reflections and analyses that compare historical and modern legal practices.

Mock TrialCriminal LawCase LawJudicial ProcessHistorical Case StudiesLegal ConceptsRole-Play

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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can understanding the general provisions of criminal law, case laws, and various sources of law help us conduct a mock trial to evaluate the judicial process in historical case studies and its impact on modern legal practices?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.

What are the general provisions of criminal law that are crucial in a trial?
How do case laws influence the judgment in historical trials?
What are the key roles in a trial and how do they contribute to the judicial process?
How do different sources of law impact the judicial outcomes?
Why is understanding historical case studies important for modern legal practices?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:

Students will understand and explain the general provisions of criminal law and case law.
Students will analyze historical case studies to identify the influence of case laws on trial outcomes.
Students will identify and describe the key roles in a trial and their contributions to the judicial process.
Students will evaluate how different sources of law affect judicial outcomes.
Students will discuss the significance of historical case studies in understanding modern legal practices.

State Social Studies Standards

SS.10.2.01

Primary

Understand general provisions of criminal and case lawReason: The project aims to host a mock trial based on historical case studies, which requires students to understand general provisions of criminal and case law.

SS.10.2.02

Primary

3 sources of lawReason: The project requires knowledge of various sources of law, which is aligned with this standard.

Common Core Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1

Secondary

Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 9-10 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively.Reason: Conducting a mock trial involves collaborative discussions, expressing ideas, and understanding different perspectives, which aligns with this standard.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9

Secondary

Compare and contrast treatments of the same topic in several primary and secondary sources.Reason: Analyzing historical case studies requires comparing and contrasting primary and secondary sources, making this standard relevant.

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2

Supporting

Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.Reason: Students will need to convey their understanding of legal concepts and case studies clearly, aligning with this writing standard.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

The Unsolved Mystery Box

Present students with a locked box containing 'evidence' and artifacts from a past case, requiring them to solve riddles and puzzles to unveil its contents. This engaging mystery format excites curiosity and lays the foundation for exploring legal concepts as they 'unlock' each piece of the trial.

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Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.

Activity 1

Law Fundamentals Explorer

Students will dive into the basics of criminal and case law by exploring general provisions and different sources of law. This activity sets the foundation for their understanding needed in the mock trial.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Introduce the key concepts of criminal law, focusing on its general provisions.

2. Guide students to explore the three main sources of law: constitutional, statutory, and case law.

3. Facilitate discussions and reflections on how these laws influence everyday legal systems.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive mind map summarizing criminal and case law provisions and sources of law.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with Standard SS.10.2.01 and SS.10.2.02 by building foundational knowledge of criminal and case law, and various sources of law.

Activity 2

Historical Case Study Detective

Students investigate a historical case study to understand its legal context and impact. They will analyze primary and secondary sources to identify influential case laws and their application in the trial.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Select a historical case study relevant to the legal concepts being studied.

2. Guide students in identifying primary and secondary sources related to the case.

3. Analyze the case to determine how specific laws and precedents were applied and their impact on the trial outcome.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed report that compares and contrasts the primary and secondary sources, focusing on the influence of case laws on the trial outcome.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.9-10.9 and SS.10.2.01 by analyzing historical case studies and evaluating law applications.

Activity 3

Role Play Preparation

In preparation for the mock trial, students will take on key roles such as judges, attorneys, and witnesses to understand their contributions to the judicial process. This activity will help them articulate legal arguments and witness testimonies.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Assign students roles relevant to a courtroom setting, ensuring each understands their responsibilities.

2. Research the duties and expectations of their assigned roles within a trial setting.

3. Develop arguments and testimonies based on historical cases to be presented during the mock trial.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityRole-prepared scripts or outlines, demonstrating a clear understanding of trial roles and potential legal arguments.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.1 by encouraging effective participation in collaborative discussions and role-play scenarios.

Activity 4

Mock Trial Execution

Students will conduct a mock trial, applying their knowledge of criminal law, case law, and historical case studies. This activity allows them to synthesize their research and role preparations in a courtroom setting.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.

1. Set up the courtroom environment, assigning students to their roles in the trial.

2. Perform the mock trial, ensuring that all participants present their arguments or testimonies.

3. Facilitate a debrief discussion to reflect on the trial process and its parallels to real-world legal settings.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA conducted mock trial with documented reflections on the judicial process and historical legal impacts.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with SS.10.2.01 and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.9-10.2, as it involves practical application of legal understanding and clear communication.

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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Mock Trial Learning Assessment Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Legal Concepts

Assessment of students' grasp of general provisions of criminal and case law, as well as the impact of different sources of law.

Criterion 1

Knowledge of Criminal Law Provisions

Evaluate the understanding of the foundational principles of criminal law covered in the project.

Exemplary

4 Points

Demonstrates sophisticated understanding of criminal law provisions, articulated clearly and connected to historical case contexts.

Proficient

3 Points

Shows thorough understanding of criminal law provisions, with clear explanations and relevance to case studies.

Developing

2 Points

Demonstrates emerging understanding with basic explanations that partially connect to case examples.

Beginning

1 Points

Shows initial understanding with minimal connection to case materials or legal principles.

Criterion 2

Understanding of Case Law Influence

Examine students' ability to analyze how specific case laws influence trial outcomes in historical contexts.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides comprehensive analysis of case law influences, showing advanced synthesis of historical precedents and outcomes.

Proficient

3 Points

Delivers clear analysis of case law and its historical impact, demonstrating competent critical evaluation.

Developing

2 Points

Offers basic analysis of case laws, with some connections to historical case outcomes.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts analysis with limited understanding of case law impacts on outcomes.

Category 2

Role Preparation and Execution

Evaluation of students' preparation and performance in assigned legal roles during the mock trial.

Criterion 1

Role Understanding

Assess students' grasp of their assigned trial role responsibilities and their educational impact.

Exemplary

4 Points

Shows exceptional understanding and embodiment of trial roles with insightful performance impacting trial success.

Proficient

3 Points

Demonstrates solid understanding and effective portrayal of assigned roles, contributing positively to the trial.

Developing

2 Points

Exhibits partial understanding, attempting to embody roles with varying levels of success.

Beginning

1 Points

Minimal understanding of role responsibilities, impacting overall trial performance.

Criterion 2

Argument Development and Presentation

Consider students' ability to develop and deliver their arguments and testimonies persuasively.

Exemplary

4 Points

Crafts and presents compelling, well-structured arguments, integrating historical case references deftly.

Proficient

3 Points

Presents well-developed arguments with logical structure and historical references.

Developing

2 Points

Provides basic argumentation with partial structure, occasionally referencing relevant case details.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts argumentation with limited clarity and historical linkage.

Category 3

Reflection and Debrief

Measures the reflection and understanding of trial outcomes and historical impacts compared to modern practices.

Criterion 1

Reflective Insights

Evaluate the depth and quality of students' reflections on the mock trial and its relationship to real-world legal systems.

Exemplary

4 Points

Provides thorough, insightful reflection connecting trial experiences to modern legal systems and practices.

Proficient

3 Points

Offers clear reflection with meaningful connections to contemporary legal contexts.

Developing

2 Points

Delivers brief reflections with some links to modern legal practices.

Beginning

1 Points

Attempts reflection with minimal connections to current legal systems.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning

Question 1

Reflect on the significance of understanding the general provisions of criminal law and how it influenced your approach during the mock trial. What insights did you gain?

Text

Required

Question 2

On a scale of 1-5, how effectively do you feel you contributed to the overall execution of the mock trial?

Scale

Required

Question 3

Which role in the trial did you find most challenging, and why?

Text

Optional

Question 4

Reflect on how the historical case study you investigated impacted your understanding of the judicial process and modern legal practices.

Text

Required

Question 5

In your opinion, why is it important to consider multiple sources of law when evaluating a legal case?

Text

Required

Question 6

Select the statement that best represents your view: Understanding historical case studies has greatly enhanced my comprehension of modern legal systems.

Multiple choice

Optional

Options

Strongly Agree

Agree

Neutral

Disagree

Strongly Disagree