Agenda 82618 National Just Because Day 15 Minutes

Agenda 8/26/18 ● ● ● ● National Just Because Day 15 Minutes to work on letter Paperclip game What is law? Discussion Quick write up (maybe) The case of the shipwrecked sailors analysis

Game Recap 1. What made you frustrated or angry about the way the game was played? 2. Why was it unfair? a. b. c. A game cannot be enjoyed without a clear set of rules, known in advance Rules cannot be changed in the middle of the game without resulting in confusion, hurt feelings, etc Rules must be applied equally and consistently to all

Class Discussion ● What was need for the game to run effectively from the start? ● What is needed to make laws effective? ● Why would a course about law start off with a game like the one we played? ● Finally Define what a law is?

Law Definition ● Law can be defined as “the rules and regulations made and enforced by government that regulate the conduct of people within a society” ○ ○ Think about rules enforced by your parents or school Think about the game we just played Are they necessary? Are they fair?

Rule of Law ● Laws must be respected by people that laws are intended to govern ● Rules in which we are governed must be known in advance and created by a democratic process ● Rules should not be made up after the fact by arbitrary actions or decrees ● All members of society are required to support the legal system and obey it, no one is above the law ○ Citizens, government officials, The President, etc. . .

Laws and Values in Society ● Laws reflect society’s values; how the people view right and wrong ● Laws against shoplifting show a societal consensus that stealing is wrong ● Not everything immoral is also illegal ○ Examples?

Legal Systems Goals The goals of our legal system: ● ● ● ● Protecting basic human rights Promoting fairness Helping resolve conflicts Promoting order and stability Promoting desirable social and economic behavior Representing the will of the majority Protecting the rights of minorities Sometimes these goals are conflicted They are meant to protect people and resolve conflicts

Values of Laws are a combination of many factors in our lives ● ● Moral Economic Political Social These values all come together in different laws Think of the shoplifting example

Flaws in Laws ● Laws are not the omnipotent solutions, they have flaws, are hard to enforce, interfere with other values ○ ○ ○ Think about prohibition in 1919 Think about what our border states are doing Think of The Patriot Act after the 9/11 attacks ● People don’t always agree that laws are effective

The Shipwrecked Sailors ● Read the handout ● Answer the questions on a seperate sheet of paper (Due next Class) ● This is based off the 1884 case of Regina v. Dudley and Stephens ● Just answer with your thoughts, won’t be graded on “right or wrong”, just effort

Group Work List 10 daily activities (Going to school, eating, hanging out with friends, etc. . ) Next to each item list laws that affect the activity. What is the purpose of each law identified? Would you change any of these laws? Why or why not?