Felisa Tibbitts: A Primer for Selecting Democratic and Human Rights Education Teaching Materials
| Understand the Law is a four-volume set of books developed by the Citizenship
Foundation (UK). Now in its second edition, the series contain units that cover all
aspects of the law as it affects young people at home, school, work, and in personal
relationships. Human rights is a subtheme of the publications. The books are written for
teachers who are not specialists in the legal field, for use in a formal school setting
with upper secondary students (ages 14 and higher). Technically, they comprise a year's
curriculum, but units are intended to be inserted into existing secondary subjects. The
materials were designed for use in the UK, but may be used as a model for curriculum
development in other national contexts. Understand the Law uses a law-related approach to raise all kinds of issues pertaining to the rights and duties of citizens. Key ideas such as justice (fairness), rights (legal and moral), and duties (to others and the law) run through the materials. Secondary students are encouraged to understand the social and moral origins of the law, examining questions such as Why do we have a law like this? Is it a fair law? How could it be improved? In this way, students come to understand the laws of their own country better, how they are made and enforced, and the role of the police and courts. The text is intended to build confidence in the rule of law, and to encourage citizens to take a positive interest in community affairs. Lessons include the necessary factual information on political and legal structures but stress the use of interactive methods such as simulations and mock trials. Very interesting and complex game formats are also sometimes used; these may require some explanation in countries where 'board games' are not commonly used. A special strength of this, and other Citizenship Foundation material, is the stress on moral reasoning, critical thinking and democratic dialogue.The lesson presented, "Dream Holiday Turns to Nightmare," demonstrates the tension that can exist between the rights of the individual and the 'needs' of the group or society. This activity is a sophisticated example of the game approach that can be found in the series, and makes use of role play, moral reasoning and group decisionmaking.In addition to Understand the Law, the Citizenship Foundation has other publications related to citizenship, the law and human rights themes. Living With the Law is a three-volume series written for 11-14 year olds. You, Me, Us! contains stories and exercises for primary school children that address community, rights, responsibilities, fairness, rules, laws, respect and tolerance.
Title: Understand the LawEditor(s): Don Rowe and Tony Thorpe Publisher: The Citizenship Foundation Place and date of publication: Kent, UK, 1995 Languages: English Total pages: unknown Form: 4-volume book set Address: Hodder & Stoughton, Special Order Department, Mill Road, Dunton Green, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2YY UNITED KINGDOM |