Name___________________________. Unit 1A: “The Basics”. Law & American
Society: LS RHS. Is the US Law Code Appropriately Strict? I. General Overview.
Date__________________! Unit 1A: “The Basics”!
! !
Block_____! ! !
! !
Name___________________________ Law & American Society: LS RHS
Is the US Law Code Appropriately Strict? I. General Overview > For this paper, students will analyze and evaluate the law code of the United States, then propose a thesis based on this analysis, and support the thesis with specific evidence. > Thesis Options are:
a) Appropriately Strict
b) Too Strict
c) Too Lenient
> Students must use at least 3 Sources provided in class, including: - any amendments of the US Bill of Rights - Shortal vs Blakely case study - Miranda v. Arizona case study - Chapter 11, “The Majesty of the Law”, by Sandra Day O’Connor - any provisions of Hammurabi’s Code - news articles: = “EU decries...” = “Taliban stone young couple...” = “Saudi court asks...” = “French Senate passes ban...” = “Guantanamo detainees” = “False Convictions” > Students must also use at least 1 and up to 2 ADDITIONAL OUTSIDE SOURCES related to their evaluation. Outside source(s) must be cited properly to avoid academic dishonesty. II. Requirements > Students must write a persuasive essay using specific evidence to support an arguable thesis. > The minimum length is two (2) pages. The maximum length is three (3) pages. > Papers must be typed (12-pt font, Times New Roman, double-spaced). > The rubric for this assignment is on the reverse side of this sheet. > Due date: MON, October 1 (at the beginning of class).
Date_________________________ Rubric: US Law Code Paper
Block_____
I. PRESENTATION / FORMATTING
___________ / 5 pts
____________ / 10 pts
> Thesis is clearly presented in introduction and conclusion > Topic Sentences are clearly presented in each body paragraph > Evidence and reasoning are appropriately presented in each paragraph > ALL sources are cited using in-‐text paragraph style (+ attach pg 1 of any outside source)
III. SUPPORT FOR ARGUMENT
Name_____________________________________ Law & American Society: LS RHS
> Within 2 -‐ 3 page range > Appropriate font and margins > Proper spelling, grammar, syntax* > Written in Third-‐Person voice
II. ORGANIZATION
____________ / 15 pts
> Minimum 3 “in-‐class” sources + 1 “outside” source are utilized > All sources are used effectively in support of the thesis > Includes speciYic reasoning, facts, statistics, quotes > Analysis of the sources provides for a clear connection to the thesis
IV. DEMONSTRATION OF UNDERSTANDING
___________ / 10 pts
> Arguments within the thesis are consistent throughout > An opposing evaluation of the US Law Code is acknowledged and critiqued > Paper delivers a compelling, reasonable argument despite this opposition