IR MON FRASER UNIVERSITY 40

Summer Semester 2001 ?

EDUC 448 - 4

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Dr. Wanda Cassidy

Law in the Curriculum

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Office: EDB 8667

Phone: 291-4484

E01.00

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E-mail: cassidy@sfu.ca

Tuesdays 17:30-21:20 in EDB 7600

PREREQUISITE

60 credit hours

RATIONALE

Since its inception as an area of study in the early 1970's law-related education has played an

important role in teaching school children about those aspects of law which affect their daily lives

(family relationships, workplace issues, consumer issues). It has also contributed to a greater

understanding of the fundamental principles which undergird our democratic society--the rule of law,

citizen's rights and responsibilities, fairness, due process, caring for one other, and equality.

Law-related education is also associated with higher order and critical thinking--accessing information,

collecting data, weighing evidence, making reasoned arguments, justifying a decision, communicating

effectively (Cassidy, 2000; Ferguson, 1997, Kuehn, Yates, & Mainville, 1995).

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Legal themes, concepts and skills are embedded in the formal and informal curricula of schools,

kindergarten through grade 12. Course such as social studies, language arts, science, consumer

education, and CAPP all include substantial law content. As well, school policies and practices convey

legal messages which impact on students' understanding and appreciation of law.

This course addresses various ways to teach law in engaging ways throughout the curriculum, as well

as ways to practice legal principles in the school setting.

Topics include:

• the law and critical thinking

• simulations, role play and story drama

• the mock trial and moot appeal

• case study method

• using the community as a resource

• internet services and legal information

• forensics in science

• conflict resolution and alternative dispute resolution

• the democratic classroom

REQUIREMENTS

Assignments include:

• participation in a mock trial or moot appeal (held at court house)

• report on a field investigation

• development of a classroom-based curriculum resource

• short 5 page paper based on readings

• attendance and participation in class

REQUIRED READINGS

Cassidy, W. & Yates, R. (Eds.) (1998). Let's Talk about Law in Elementary School. Calgary: Detselig

Publishers.

A book of readings, available for purchase in class ($30.00)