Law and Justice

"The Law and Justice curriculum is a collaborative effort that grew out of a commitment to provide students from a range of backgrounds with a deeper understanding of the principles and practices of the legal system. Our mission is to empower all students and give them the knowledge, tools, and opportunities to be critical thinkers and effective participants in a democratic society, as youth now and professionals tomorrow."

—Eliza P. Fabillar, Project Director

Developed by Education Development Center, Inc. (EDC), with support from The James Irvine Foundation, the Law and Justice (L & J) program includes an innovative curriculum and professional development activities.

Educators and administrators, register or login to access the full curriculum.

The Law and Justice (L & J) curriculum comprises two yearlong courses: Foundations in Law and Foundations in Criminal Justice. Students examine course materials through several lenses:

U.S. Law: How laws are created, enforced, and interpreted and the relationship between law and public policy at the federal, state, and local levels of government

Philosophical and Historical Foundations: How and why a social contract, document, or law evolved

Power and Fairness: How the law and legal systems can be used both to proetect and to opress individuals and groups, and how power is allocated within society

Advocacy and Policy: How individuals and groups, including young people, can take action to influence and reform our legal system and achieve justice

Career Exploration: What career paths exist in the legal and criminal justice systems, and how the pursuit of a particular profession can serve a a form of civic action

Comparative Systems: How the U.S. legal system compares with legal and policital systems, philosophies, and practices of other countries