UNIT 8: Rules and Law

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What sort of rules does a society need?

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Laws of some kind are essential for the fair and efficient running of any society. Laws apply in all situations, to everyone within the community of a country – although there are certain groups, such as children, who are not affected by some laws until they reach a certain age.

One of the ways in which the law can be divided up is into what is known as civil and criminal law. Civil law provides a way of settling disputes between individuals and groups of people. Criminal law covers behaviour that the state has decided must be discouraged or prevented.

Laws can never be perfect, however. They are human creations and sometimes need changing. They may become out of date, ineffective or be simply unfair on certain groups in society.

Law can never be divorced from politics. For it is within political systems that laws are made and changed. In a democratic political system it is important that all citizens are able to have an equal say about this. It is also important that the law is applied equally to all citizens, and that no one is above the law. This concept is sometimes known as the rule of law.

Finally, laws should comply with human rights. This is important in order to make sure that laws are fair and that they are not abused as a means of oppression or dictatorship. Most democratic systems therefore rely on written constitutions that provide a human rights framework that stands above the laws of the country. Some countries have also established constitutional courts to decide whether laws are in line with the constitution or not.

Learning for Education for Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights

  • Through this series of lessons students will:
    develop a greater understanding of the concept of law and its importance in a democratic society;
  • recognise that the main purpose of law is to help people and protect society;
  • develop a greater respect for the idea of the rule of law;
  • find out more about the legal system in their own country.

UNIT 8: Rules and Law

What sort of rules does a society need?

Lesson title Learning objectives Student tasks Resources Method

Lesson 1:

Good law -bad law

To be aware of and understand the factors that determine what makes a good law. To discuss school rules and identify what makes a good school rule.
To discuss laws and identify what makes a good law.
To examine critically an area of law in their country, e.g laws on alcohol.
To propose and justify their own new school rule or law.
Two cards for each student – one labelled with a letter “A” (in green), the other with a letter “B” (in red).
Handout – Laws on alcohol in our country Markers and a large sheet of paper for each group of 4-6 students.
Flip chart or a large piece of paper for display in class.
Small group work and class discussion.

Lesson 2:

At what age?

To examine how the law applies to young people. To work out the legal ages at which young people become entitled to take part in different adult activities. To consider how appropriate the current law is for young people. Three large signs labelled “A”, “B” and “C” put up on three different walls of the classroom.
Copies of student handout 8.1 – one for every two students.
Marker pens and a large piece of paper each for group of 4-6 students.
Pair work small group work and class discussion.

Lesson 3:

You make the law

To examine the question of whether young people who have broken the law should be punished at all, and if so, how. To consider the different factors that come into play when deciding what is a fair punishment for a crime. A copy of the story and extra information for the teacher. Small group work and class discussion.

Lesson 4:

Rules of evidence

To understand the rules of evidence in a court of law. To consider the kind of evidence that should count in a court of law and the kind of evidence it would be wrong to use. Discussion cards (student handout 8.2) for each group of 4-6 students. Small group work and class discussion.