This unit of study contains certain basic concepts associated with the
topic which students will be expected to understand and use:
Student Vocabulary List
The following is a list of concepts and ideas students should be
familiar with after having completed this unit of study:
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American Civil Liberties Union
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adjourn
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amicus curiae
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appeal (Appellate Court)
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arrest
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Attorney General
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bail
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balanced treatment act
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bill
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Butler Act
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case
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checks and balances
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civil law
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counsel
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court record: off the record
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court record: on the record
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constitutionality (of laws)
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conviction
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creation-science
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criminal law
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cross-examination
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Darwinism
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defendant
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defense
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dissenting opinion
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Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)
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evidence
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evolutionary theory
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exception (in court)
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felony
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fine (by jury or court)
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fundamentalism
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Genesis
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grand jury
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impartial
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indictment
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jury selection
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justice
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lawsuit
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legislation
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legislature:lower house
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legislature: senate
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litigation
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McLean v. Arkansas (1982)
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misdemeanor
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mistrial
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motions (by counsel)
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motions: overruled
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motions: sustained
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offense
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plea
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peremptory challenge
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preliminary hearing
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prohibit
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prosecution
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repeal (a law)
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sentence: maximum
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sentence: minimum
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separation of church and state
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separation of powers
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state's case
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statute
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Tennessee v. John Scopes(1925)
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test case
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trial by jury
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violation (of law)
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warrant
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witness
During this prepared unit of study, students will be assigned to
carefully examine court records, testimonies of witnesses and court
opinions in an effort to involve them in the legal process and how it
operates. They will follow a bill from its inception to its challenge in
court, right through to the appeals stage.
This unit has challenged students to develop and use certain critical
thinking skills. Students can, if the teacher so desires, become
involved in several learning activities that will challenge them to
read factual evidence carefully and analyze this evidence in ways
that will enable them to become more coherent thinkers and writers.
By debating legal issues with their classmates, students learn to
improve speaking and listening skills, as well as small group process
skills. In summary, students who complete this unit of study will
have been exposed to methods which are intended to improve their
abilities to decipher, interpret, organize and communicate
information more effectively.
In addition to skill-building, students will become familiar with
terminology relating to law and the courtroom. Students will be
expected to keep lists of vocabulary words and concepts within their
groups. Glossaries are available for them to consult. Independent
research is encouraged. The teacher hands out specific questions to
answer based on group readings to help students accurately
summarize facts.
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