Law

  • HACKENSACK HIGH SCHOOL

    Law 

     

    Instructor:  Mrs. Felice Tatgenhorst

    Contact phone #:  201-646-7900 Business Education Dept.

    Email address:  f.tatgenhorst@hackensackschools.org

     

    Course Prerequisites:

    Students must have taken and passed Personal Finance or Principles of Business or an equivalent computer based class in order to take Law I.

     

    Course Description:

    5 Points – Full Year

     

    Students will explore topics relevant to the American legal system.  Students will learn the development of common law, stages in the growth of law, ethics, our federal and state court systems, constitutional rights, criminal and civil laws, contract laws, the electoral voting process, and career options. 

     

    In this course, students will enhance their knowledge of federal and state laws, civil rights, the United States voting process, and how our court system works.  Students planning to enter into the field of law will find this course helpful and informative.

     

    Course Objectives:

     

    1. In order to master the proficiencies of this course, attendance, consistent with Board of Education policy, is required in order to demonstrate skills, social interaction, and the interplay of ideas from student/teacher exchange.

     

    1. The student will demonstrate the ability to consider the effects of an individual’s actions on other people, how one acts in accordance with the rules of law, and how one acts in a virtuous and ethically responsible way as a member of society.

     

    1. The student will explain the court system, constitutional rights, levels of government, voting procedures, criminal laws, civil laws, personal injury laws, and contract laws.

     

    1. The student will utilize the internet, technology applications, supplemental case readings, courtroom visits, and resource people, to successfully develop and participate in a mock trial to demonstrate an understanding of our legal system.

     

    1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the court system, including courtroom participants, trial procedures, sentencing, and sanctions.

     

    1. The student will identify key terms and cases in the American legal system.  They will acquire, apply, integrate, analyze, and synthesize knowledge.

     

    1. The students will debate an adversary during a role-playing assignment.

     

    1. The student will demonstrate an awareness of various careers associated with the information presented and practiced in the classroom.

     

    Course Outline:

    • Development of English Common Law
    • Constitutional law
    • Statutory law
    • Case law
    • Administrative law
    • Electoral voting process and the direct voting process.
    • Bill of Rights
    • Three branches of governments (executive, judicial, and legislative)
    • Debate a current controversial legal issue
    • Juvenile and adult court systems
    • Crimes and defenses to crimes.
    • Elements of a tort and civil trial
    • Steps in a jury trial (mock trial)
    • Contracts

     

    Grading:

    • Projects (Technique and Creativity Effort)
    • Tests
    • Quizzes
    • Critique Participation
    • Preparedness, effort, and listening skills
    • Homework

     

    Materials:

    • A spiral notebook
    • Classroom Textbook

     

    Absentee Policy:

    Students will have 1 day for each day absent to make up missing assignments, tests, and quizzes.  Failure to do so will result in a ZERO for the work.  It is the student’s responsibility to obtain and complete the missing work.

     

    As per Hackensack High School policy…

     

    • 16 unwaived absences will result in a drop and no credit for the course.
    • 3 cuts will result in a drop and no credit for the course.
    • 5 lates to class = 1 unwaived absence.
    • 20+ minutes late = 1 unwaived absence.