People's Law School in Michigan -- Something to Emulate

I was so pleased to come across an article from August 23, 2011 in the Lansing State Journal (by John Schneider) about a seven week intro to law course sponsored by the Michigan Association for Justice. For $25, one can attend seven two-hour classes at Thomas M. Cooley Law School on basic subjects of law such as Constitutional Law, Elder Law (including probate and estate planning), identity theft, the fourth amendment, and employment law. This excites me. Unlike in some past generations, the law governs so many areas of our life that I think we fail our population when we graduate students from high school without a fundamental understanding of certain areas of our legal system.

A Fun Activity For Constitution Day: Creating the ideal city of state

One activity that particularly inspired me, which I recall from eighth grade, is one were, just having studied the Ancient Greek city state system, we were asked to create a city state of our own.

We were asked to consider: a. what issues would citizens vote on themselves; b. what issues would representatives vote on; c. what decisions would be left to a chief executive--if any; d. what rules, if any, would govern economic transitions; e. what types of courts would be established, or would there be other protocols to manager disputes of citizens; and f. what other rules might govern daily lives of citizens or non-citizens residents and/or short visitors.

In retrospect, I wish we were instructed to take a couple days to write this out in a descriptive manner before discussing this in a group setting. Then, we did this solely as a group verbally, so I have no documentation, or even recollection, as to what we accomplished, if anything.

Although there is tremendous logic to being given the opportunity to consider the points of view of others, specifically to experience the debate between those more trusting of government structure versus those more trusting of individual liberty (and in fact it might be said that there is no way to fully consider these issues until one is confronted with those of competing perspectives and presumptions), there is also crucial value to asking each student to articulate the logic between his or her own position.

If you have taken this on as a project, consider how similar or different your creation is from the United States Constitution, and then consider why. How does your understanding of human nature, natural rights, and democracy resemble or differ from those of the founders, and do those similarities or differences account for the simmilarities and differences between your constitution and the one the United States government adopted?

Civic Engagement Expo--Excellent 9-11 Activity for Philadelphians

I just came across this announcement on the Arcadia University website. I note that is it occurring on September 11, 2011, the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11/01 terror attacks. Although I don't mean to discount the value of other commemorative events, I can't think of anything that strengthens America more than programming to advance the participatory aspects of our democratic culture. I hope this is a succesful and inspirational event. Third Annual Civic Engagement Expo in Philadelphia, Sept. 11 Fri, Sep 2, 2011 Events On Sunday, Sept.11, Global Citizen, Greater Philadelphia Cares and SERVE Philadelphia will host the Third Annual Civic Engagement Expo. Nonprofit organizations from the Philadelphia region will host informational tables displaying their mission and current, future and on-going volunteer opportunities. This is a great opportunity for students to learn about various nonprofit organizations in the city and a chance to gain valuable resume boosting volunteer experience. The expo takes place on the first block of Independence Mall between Chestnut and Market Streets from 2 to 5 p.m. Immediately following the expo, there will be a public ceremony featuring Mayor Michael Nutter and other esteemed guests.