Law and the U.S. Legal System

Does the United States Legal system truly embody democratic values? Does the country's court system effectively settle disputes? What happens when a person gets arrested, anyway? In this course, students will examine these questions as they closely study the structure and role of the American legal system in society.

This course seeks to provide a comprehensive overview that encompasses the diverse perspectives, critiques, and realities of the American legal system, while also studying the foundation, classification, and organization of law with a particular emphasis on criminal law and civil law. Students will also explore the steps of a trial including pre-trial procedures, opening and closing statements, cross-examination, jury deliberation, and verdicts. The course will end with an examination of student and juvenile rights and laws. This will provide students with an overview of their rights as minors and how their rights change when they are in a school building.

Law and the US Legal System will use a variety of sources, so students will get a full, nuanced, and balanced view of the law and legal system. Students will be invited to think critically about the systems we have in place, and what crime and justice really mean.

Acknowledgements

Please Note: This course contains an end-of-course proctored exam. Instructions for students to identify an appropriate adult proctor are included in the course lessons.

Course Objectives

Objectives/Essential Questions:

How does the legal system safeguard rights of citizens and residents in the United States?
How does the development and interpretation of laws evolve over time to reflect society's values?
Does the law allow society to settle legal disputes more efficiently?

Compare and contrast the roles of criminal and civil law in the American legal system.
Interpret how the amendments in the Constitution are integrated into the rights of citizens.
Explain how the federal and state court system allow for legal disputes to be settled.
Describe various perspectives and interpretations on American civil and criminal law.
Evaluate if U.S. law embodies democratic values and principles into the legal system.