Readings:
1. Four Supreme Court cases: (Miranda, Powell, Mapp, Terry).
Accompanying Activity:
Discussion of homework assignment from previous class.
Objectives:
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1. To help students develop/sharpen analytical thinking skills.
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2. To enhance oratory skills.
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3. To foster respect for different points of view.
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4. To help students develop argumentative skills.
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5. To foster cooperation among students in regards to finding fair solutions to the problems which currently exist in the criminal justice system.
General Statement:
In order to provide a comprehensive education, there must be a healthy respect for different opinions and ideas within the classroom setting. One way to help achieve this is to have students consider the strengths of arguments which run counter to what they believe. In doing so, students are introduced to the idea of cooperation and consensus and learn that the serious issues which people face at time may go unresolved due to a lack of understanding of the opposing viewpoints.
Teaching Strategy:
Entry Point A:
Have each student read his/her homework assignment aloud. Teacher should write down the main ideas of the essays on the board.
Entrv Point B:
Teacher should ask follow-up questions in order to ascertain the benefits of such an exercise.
Follow-up / Discussion Questions:
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1. Has this assignment changed you opinion on any of the issues raised thus far in the class? If so, how and why? If not, why not?
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2. Do you think it is important to have a clear understanding and healthy respect for opposing opinions? Why or why not?
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3. Was this assignment difficult for you? Why or why not?
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4. Do you think there is a ‘middle ground‘ regarding this issue? Is so, what is it?
Homework:
Students will read the four Supreme Court cases listed on the previous page. They should not be required to read the opinions, as they are often times too sophisticated for students. Teacher should advise the students that they will be given a more simplified overview of the opinions in each of the cases. This should be developed by the teacher.
Accompanying Activity:
Students will be instructed to discover the Amendment under which each case would fall (i.e. Fourth Amendment’s Warrant requirement, Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel, etc.)