Ottoman Legal System Role-Play: Historical Justice Explored
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Ottoman Legal System Role-Play: Historical Justice Explored

Grade 10Political Science2 days
3.0 (1 rating)
The Ottoman Legal System Role-Play project for 10th-grade students uses an experiential approach, where students engage in a detailed exploration of the Ottoman legal system through research, analysis, and role-play activities. This project aims to deepen students' understanding of historical legal principles and their societal implications by having them assume and perform the roles of various Ottoman legal figures. Students develop skills such as critical thinking, research, and public speaking, while also reflecting on how historical legal systems influence current governance structures and social hierarchies.
Ottoman Legal SystemRole-PlaySocial HierarchiesJusticeHistorical AnalysisLegal PrinciplesStudent Engagement
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Inquiry Framework

Question Framework

Driving Question

The overarching question that guides the entire project.How can we use role-play to explore the principles, societal values, and impact of the Ottoman legal system on social hierarchies and justice?

Essential Questions

Supporting questions that break down major concepts.
  • What were the main principles governing the Ottoman legal system?
  • How did the judicial process in the Ottoman Empire reflect its societal values?
  • In what ways did the Ottoman legal system impact social hierarchies and justice?
  • How did the role of different legal officials in the Ottoman Empire contribute to the judicial process?

Standards & Learning Goals

Learning Goals

By the end of this project, students will be able to:
  • Students will analyze the principles governing the Ottoman legal system and how these principles impacted societal values and justice.
  • Students will evaluate the roles of different legal officials in the Ottoman Empire and how these roles contributed to the judicial process.
  • Students will assess how the Ottoman legal system affected social hierarchies and contributed to the concept of justice within the society.
  • Students will critically engage in role-playing exercises to mimic the Ottoman judicial process, enhancing their understanding of historical legal systems.

Social Studies Standards

HS-LS1-1
Primary
Analyze how individual and group actions can influence justice and social structures.Reason: The project focuses on the Ottoman legal system's impact on social hierarchies and justice, reflecting how actions within a legal framework can influence broader societal structures.

History Standards

HS-LS1-2
Secondary
Evaluate the role of historical legal systems in shaping modern governance.Reason: Understanding the Ottoman legal system helps students evaluate how historical systems have influenced contemporary governance structures.

Entry Events

Events that will be used to introduce the project to students

Ottoman Law Escape Room

Create an escape room with puzzles based on Ottoman legal principles. Students must work together to solve clues and 'escape' while learning about how legal decisions were made and the role of judges and legal experts in Ottoman society.

Mystery of the Missing Manuscript

Introduce a fictional mysterious case where an important legal manuscript from the Ottoman Era has disappeared. Students must investigate the disappearance using clues related to the Ottoman legal system, engaging them in detective work while learning about historical legal practices.
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Portfolio Activities

Portfolio Activities

These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.
Activity 1

Ottoman Roles and Responsibilities Exploration

Students will research and present about the various roles within the Ottoman legal system, such as judges, scribes, and legal experts (muftis). This foundation will help them understand the different positions before role-playing.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Assign or allow students to choose a role within the Ottoman legal system.
2. Provide resources and guidelines for research on their chosen role.
3. Guide students in creating a profile describing the duties and societal expectations of their role.
4. Have students present their profiles to the class for peer feedback.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA detailed profile presentation on a specific role from the Ottoman legal system, shared with the class.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-LS1-1 by analyzing individual roles and their impact on justice and societal structures.
Activity 2

Ottoman Case Study Analysis

Students will examine a real historical case from the Ottoman Empire, focusing on the legal principles applied and the outcomes. This will set the stage for their role-playing by giving them actual examples to reference.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Select a historical case to analyze or provide various cases for student selection.
2. Guide students to identify the legal principles used and the roles each official played in the case.
3. Discuss with students how these principles and roles influenced the case's outcome and societal impact.
4. Have students summarize their findings in a written or digital report.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive report on a historical Ottoman legal case, detailing the application of legal principles and roles.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsSupports HS-LS1-1 by providing insight into group actions within the legal system and how they influenced societal structures.
Activity 3

Role-Play Rehearsal Workshop

Students will rehearse their roles from the past activities by engaging in a mock trial or judicial meeting. They will apply their knowledge from previous research and analyses to enact a realistic Ottoman legal process.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Form groups based on the previous roles assigned and distribute a fictional case to role-play.
2. Allow time for students to prepare arguments, questions, and interactions based on their role's duties.
3. Facilitate rehearsals where students simulate the legal process, providing feedback to enhance authenticity.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA rehearsed mock trial, demonstrating student understanding of the Ottoman legal process through role-play.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAligns with HS-LS1-2 by helping evaluate historical systems and their significance in shaping governance.
Activity 4

Ottoman Legal System Role-Plays

Students will carry out a full role-play of an Ottoman judicial proceeding, incorporating all their research, analysis, and preparations from previous activities to showcase their understanding of the Ottoman legal system.

Steps

Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.
1. Assign final roles and set the stage for students to conduct the judicial proceeding.
2. Conduct the full role-play, allowing students to perform their roles in a seamless judicial process simulation.
3. Facilitate a class discussion post-role-play to reflect on what they learned and how it relates to justice and social hierarchy.
4. Have students write a reflection piece on their experience and learning outcomes.

Final Product

What students will submit as the final product of the activityA complete role-play of an Ottoman judicial proceeding with reflective write-ups from students.

Alignment

How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsMeets HS-LS1-1 and HS-LS1-2 by allowing students to critically engage with historical legal processes and their broader implications.
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Rubric & Reflection

Portfolio Rubric

Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolio

Ottoman Legal System Role-Play Rubric

Category 1

Understanding of Legal Principles

Evaluates students' comprehension of the Ottoman legal system and its societal values.
Criterion 1

Knowledge of Legal Roles

Accuracy and depth of understanding regarding various legal roles in the Ottoman Empire.

Exemplary
4 Points

Demonstrates comprehensive and nuanced understanding of all legal roles and their significance in the Ottoman system.

Proficient
3 Points

Demonstrates thorough understanding of most legal roles and their significance in the Ottoman system.

Developing
2 Points

Shows basic understanding with some inaccuracies or gaps in knowledge regarding legal roles.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to identify and explain legal roles with many inaccuracies.

Criterion 2

Application of Legal Principles

Ability to apply Ottoman legal principles in analysis and role-play activities.

Exemplary
4 Points

Applies legal principles with sophistication and creativity across activities.

Proficient
3 Points

Consistently applies legal principles accurately in analyses and role-plays.

Developing
2 Points

Applies legal principles inconsistently or with minor inaccuracies.

Beginning
1 Points

Struggles to apply legal principles accurately.

Category 2

Research and Analysis Skills

Assesses the depth of student research and analytical capability in historical context.
Criterion 1

Depth of Research

Extent and accuracy of research conducted on assigned legal roles and historical cases.

Exemplary
4 Points

Conducts thorough research using diverse and relevant sources, providing detailed insights.

Proficient
3 Points

Conducts adequate research using relevant sources, with accurate insights.

Developing
2 Points

Research is limited in scope or reliance on less relevant sources.

Beginning
1 Points

Research is minimal or largely inaccurate.

Criterion 2

Analytical Understanding

Quality of analysis when assessing the impact of the legal system on justice and social structures.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides insightful analysis with clear connections to societal impact and modern implications.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides accurate analysis with some connections to societal impact.

Developing
2 Points

Provides basic analysis with limited connections or depth.

Beginning
1 Points

Analysis is superficial with limited understanding of impacts.

Category 3

Role-Play Execution and Reflection

Evaluates the quality of student role-play execution and reflective insights.
Criterion 1

Role-Play Performance

Effectiveness in performing assigned roles during the judicial role-play.

Exemplary
4 Points

Delivers an authentic and engaging performance with excellent adherence to historical context.

Proficient
3 Points

Delivers a consistent performance with attention to historical context.

Developing
2 Points

Performance is uneven with some attention to historical context.

Beginning
1 Points

Performance lacks consistency and historical accuracy.

Criterion 2

Reflective Insights

Quality of reflection regarding learning experiences and societal implications.

Exemplary
4 Points

Provides deep reflective insights with strong connections to learning and societal implications.

Proficient
3 Points

Provides clear reflective insights with relevant connections.

Developing
2 Points

Provides superficial reflections with few connections.

Beginning
1 Points

Reflections are minimal with limited insight.

Reflection Prompts

End-of-project reflection questions to get students to think about their learning
Question 1

Reflect on your experience in the Ottoman Legal System Role-Play. How did it change or enhance your understanding of justice and social hierarchies in the Ottoman Empire?

Text
Required
Question 2

How confident do you feel in explaining the roles and societal expectations of the different legal officials in the Ottoman Empire after completing this project?

Scale
Optional
Question 3

What key skills do you think you developed during the Ottoman Legal System role-play project? Select the most applicable skills.

Multiple choice
Required
Options
Critical Thinking
Public Speaking
Research
Teamwork
Understanding of Historical Context
Question 4

In what ways did the judicial process in the Ottoman Empire reflect its societal values, based on your role-play experience?

Text
Optional
Question 5

To what extent do you agree with the statement: 'Role-play activities can effectively deepen understanding of historical legal systems and their impact on modern governance'?

Scale
Optional