University of Houston Law Center



left15240000Young Women’s College Preparatory AcademyStreet Law Course Syllabus and Information 2017-2018Ms. A. McGlory, Cooperating Teacher- Debate, English IV, & Yearbook Conference Periods: Tuesday and Thursday 1:45-2:30 p.m. Tutoring: Wednesdays from 3:30 pm to 4 pm & by appointmentPhone: 713-942-1441Email: Arnecia.mcglory@ Ms. K. Laflin, Instructor- Street LawUniversity of Houston Law CenterEmail: kglaflin@uh.edu Course Description: Street Law is a one year course that introduces students to legal concepts and analytical skills. Street Law was started in 1972 at Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, DC. The purpose of Street Law is to help students learn about their rights and responsibilities and to encourage them to think critically about the law. My goal is that you will finish this course with a practical understanding of law and the legal system. You will also understand the fundamental principles and values underlying the U.S. Constitution, laws, and the legal system. Students will participate in thoughtful discussions regarding the reading as well as writing about those texts in the company of their peers. Students will improve oral advocacy and debate skills, note taking skills, and research/writing skills. Students will participate in in-class debates, presentations, and discussions. In the Spring students will participate in a mock-trial competition. Students who complete Street Law will have a basic understanding of the legal system, and their individual rights, as well as an opportunity to develop public speaking and advocacy skills. Evaluation: The student’s grade in the course will be determined by her performance on the following: In-class Debates: Students will be assigned a debate topic and side. Students will be required to prepare for a 15 minute debate in-class. Class Participation: Class discussions and assignments play a large role in the success of this class. Students are expected to come to class prepared and ready to participate. Students are expected to take notes, and will have periodic note checks.Current Events: Each student is required to bring in at least three current events each semester. Students should be prepared to discuss the event, give the source, and explain any legal relevance/issues they can think of regarding this event.Semester Projects—Students will be responsible for an end of the semester project regarding a legal issue of their choice. Topics: In the fall semester we will cover the following topics: Introduction to Law and the Legal System What is Law?LawmakingAdvocacy Settling DisputesThe Court System Lawyers Oral Advocacy Criminal Law and Juvenile JusticeCrime in AmericaIntroduction to Criminal Law Crimes Against the Person Crimes Against Property Defenses The Criminal Justice Process Juvenile JusticeFamily Law (covered in either Fall or Spring) Law and the American Family Marriage Parents and Children Foster Care and Adoption Separation, Divorce, and Custody Government Support for Families and IndividualsGrading:Projects/Tests: 40%Classwork/Quizzes: 30%Participation: 10%Homework: 20%Course Textbooks: StreetLaw: A Course in Practical Law. 9th Edition (Please note: Students are responsible for their textbook assigned to them, and will be held responsible for any lost/damaged textbook). Plagiarism:Plagiarism will not be tolerated. Plagiarism includes summarizing, paraphrasing, or quoting someone else’s media, words, or ideas without citing the source. Be especially careful to avoid plagiarizing Internet sources (for example, e-mail, chat rooms, web sites, or discussion groups). It makes no difference whether you borrow the material from print sources, from the Internet, from online databases, or from interviews; failure to cite your source is plagiarism. Plagiarized work will result in a 0% on that assignment and no opportunities for extra credit for that six weeks.Cheating:Cheating will not be tolerated and will result in all involved parties receiving a zero with no opportunity for make-up.Classroom Rules:1. Be prepared.2. Be respectful.3. Be responsible.4. Be cooperative.5. Be your best!Classroom Procedures:START OF CLASS1. Walk quickly and quietly into the classroom. Check the Smart Board or white board for instructions (you can check the whiteboard for that day’s activities) and warm-up. 2. Head to the materials station and pick up whatever handouts or materials you may need.3. Have a seat (assigned seats may change with time). The bell is a signal for class to begin, not for you to head to your desk. 4. When the bell rings, the door is shut and locked. Tardy students must wait for teacher to let them in and sign tardy sheet for documentation. 5. You must stay in your seats at all times unless otherwise permitted. See the end of the procedures for hand signals regarding moving about the classroom.TURNING IN ASSIGNMENTS6. When turning in an assignment, place it in the appropriate folder labeled with your class period at the work station. Do not turn in anyone else’s work but your own, unless instructed to pick up work by me. Please make sure all information in your heading is complete before going to the station. Make sure pages are stapled before submitting them. Loss of pages without staple holes is not an excuse for late/missed work.7. If you have homework, make sure you have it out and ready to turn in. I will oftentimes give you a time limit of one minute to get it out and get it in the tray. Afterwards, your work is late and will not be accepted per YWCPA’s no late work policy. Do not plagiarize and do not work on homework assignments during class.8. Daily work assignments will not be accepted late if you were present. You will be held accountable for your decisions regarding the work you do. ABSENCES9. It is the student’s responsibility to request make-up work. If students attend school at any time during the day an assignment is due, students are required to submit their assignments.10. School sports, events, activities, and/or excursions are not valid reasons for not submitting work on time.11. Any student that is absent on the day of a test is expected to make up the test during tutorials upon their return to campus. If the student does not report to make up the exam within the stated time frame, no credit (0%, zero) will be given for that exam. Tests may not be made up during class or another class period. Be advised that make-up exams are more rigorous as students have more time to prepare. It is in the student’s best interest to be present on all exam days.DURING INSTRUCTION12. Eating and drinking are not allowed during class, with the exception of bottled water, and the school-provided breakfast the first 20 minutes of class. Please keep bottled water under your desk.13. Keep ALL of your personal belongings – backpack, purses, etc. – under your desk or on the back your chair. Do not place them in the aisles, in your laps, or on your desk.14. Keep ALL of your school materials – binder, notebook, textbook, etc. – on top of your desk. Do not place them in your laps.TECHNOLOGY15. Phones are not allowed during class and will be taken per HISD’s student code of conduct. Do not attempt to use your phone without my seeing. 16. Check the agenda on the board to determine if use of technology is permitted.17. PACMAN mode means you close your laptop screen enough to resemble a PACMAN mouth. This is during times I need your undivided attention to give further instructions or to signify completion of a task.DISMISSAL19. Upon leaving the class, all materials should be put away neatly. Any trash or garbage around you must be thrown away, and all desks put back in their correct spots. You are responsible for your work areas and you will be kept after the bell if the class is not in proper condition. Paper Heading:First & Last nameMcGloryEnglish IV Pd #Day Month YearTitle of Paper/AssignmentAll essays and short answer assignments must be completed in Microsoft Word unless otherwise instructed. Please use Times New Roman 12 pt. font with double spacing with 0 pt. before and after line spacing and 1 inch margins all around. This is MLA format. Assignments must be submitted to by midnight of the date an assignment is due. Any assignment submitted after deadline will be considered late and not accepted per YWCPA’s no late work policy.The last page of this syllabus has your list of class supplies and parent information that needs to be filled out. Separate the last page from the rest of the syllabus. Keep the syllabus in your notebook and return the last page to me once your parent has filled out their information and you all have signed it. ---------PLEASE DETACH THIS PAGE AND RETURN IT TO YOUR TEACHER--------Ms. McGlory,I have received and read your course overview for English IV. I agree to abide by your rules and procedures. I have also completed the information below which you’ve requested for your records.PLEASE PRINT_____________________________________________Student’s NameClass PeriodStudent’s Email: _____________________________________________________________ -29146511620500Athletics/Organizations/Clubs in which the student participates:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Any personal information you wish to share that is relevant for me to know as the teacher: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Parent/Guardian Contact Information: Name(s):_____________________________________________________________________Phone: (_____) __________-________________ Best Time to Call: _______:______ (AM/PM)Email: ___________________________________________________________________Do you understand the policies set forth in the syllabus? _______ Parents and Students please sign below acknowledging the policies and expectations set forth in this syllabus. Student Signature: __________________________________________________________ Date: Parent Signature: ___________________________________________________________ Date: Note: Complete this form and give it to your instructor by 9/18/17 for your participation grade.Supplies Required:2 Packs of Black Pens Only 1 Pack of highlighters1 Folder with brads and pockets4 Packs of college ruled paper 1 box of tissue1 bottle of hand sanitizer (10 oz) ................
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