Course Overview

Every society has laws that its citizens must follow. From traffic laws to regulations on how the government operates, laws help provide society with order and structure. Our lives are guided and regulated by our society's legal expectations. Consumer laws help protect us from faulty goods; criminal laws help protect society from individuals who harm others; and family law handles the arrangements and issues that arise in areas like divorce and child custody. This course focuses on the creation and application of laws in various areas of society. By understanding the workings of our court system, as well as how laws are actually carried out, students become more informed and responsible citizens.

Course Outline

Unit One: The World of Law & Ethics
Unit Two: The Lawmaking Process
Unit Three: A Look Inside Our Courts
Unit Four: Criminal Law
Midterm
Unit Five: Tort Law
Unit Six: Consumer Law
Unit Seven: Family Law
Unit Eight: Community Rights
Final Exam

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Understand how to make a well-rounded decision.
• Understand ethics and their applications.
• Understand the importance of laws.
• Understand the history of the U.S. legal system.
• Understand how our laws and ethics are related.
• Understand how a law moves through Congress.
• Understand the key players in law formation.
• Understand the president's power of veto.
• Understand what roles a citizen has.
• Understand the ways a court can affect a law.
• Understand how laws are changed.
• Examine the parts and purposes of the state court system.
• Examine the parts and purposes of the federal court system.
• Understand the steps of a civil case.
• Understand the process and people involved in a criminal and civil case.
• Identify the factors that may lead to crime.
• Understand the individuals involved in crime.
• Understand the purpose of the U.S. criminal justice system.
• Understand the differences between crimes.
• Understand the different levels of liability.
• Know and understand what torts are.
• Understand the concept of damages.
• Understand the different types of torts.
• Understand the concept of standard of care.