Cases and Resources
Chapter 1: What is Law?

Law and Values
Human Rights
Balancing Rights with Responsibilities
Kinds of Laws
Our Constitutional Framework

Law and Values
Regina v. Dudley and Stephens
Read the court's decision to learn more about the case of the shipwrecked sailors discussed in your textbook. Dudley and Stephens were found guilty of murder for deliberately taking the life of another. Do you agree with the court's reasoning?

U.S. Department of Justice
Our current legal system is based on the values that our government and society believe are the most important to keep order and fairness in the United States. Read the mission of the U.S. Department of Justice at this site.

Youth in Action Network
Use this Web site to help you learn how to take action based on your values. You will learn background information on human rights and environmental issues and communicate with other students.

American Civil Liberties Union
and Morality in the Media, Inc.
Many of the most well-known organizations that fight to change or keep laws today agree on specific morals and ideas that can be very different. Go to these sites and compare the values these organizations hold on free speech.

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Human Rights
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Read this statement of basic human rights. Almost every country in the world agrees to these basic standards. The United Nations, or the UN, accepts and promotes this Declaration. Remember, the United States is a member of the UN.

United Nations Cyber School Bus
Created and maintained by the UN, this site teaches students about issues affecting the UN and the entire world in several different languages. There are many opportunities to learn about current or significant concerns from many perspectives. The material is written to be easily accessible to both students and educators.

Human Rights Web
Read the other UN agreements and documents, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights.

Amnesty International
and Human Rights USA
Learn more about human rights groups, issues, and activities. (Teachers: There are lesson plans and educational tools at these sites as well!)

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Balancing Rights with Responsibilities
The Kitty Genovese Story (by Court TV)
With rights come responsibilities. There is a balancing act that we must perform when weighing individual rights and the respect we must have for the rights of others in our communities. Read about one woman who started a national debate over this balancing act.

The Juror's Handbook
Sitting on a jury is one civic responsibility of citizens in the United States. Visit this site to find out what it is like to be on a jury.

Political Resources Online
Some people choose to run for office in an effort to contribute to the communities in which they live. Read about how someone (maybe you!) can run for office and what others are campaigning to change.

MTV's Rock the Vote
It is both your responsibility and your right to vote in elections. It is important that you understand the issues and candidates involved in the election before you decide how to vote. Explore a site created for the young voter.

National Organization for Women (NOW)
Some organizations are formed to assist voters of a specific gender, ethnicity, or political ideology. Read the information provided for women voters. What issues does NOW find important for women to consider?

The Civic Mind
What else can you do to become a participant in your community? Learn about civic opportunities in general or specific opportunities in your state.

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Kinds of Laws
The Difference Between Civil and Criminal Law
Read this clear explanation about how civil law is different from criminal law.

O.J. Simpson (Court TV)
Now examine a real case—that of O.J. Simpson—in which civil and criminal laws both mattered. O.J. was found not guilty in criminal court, but was found liable in civil court.

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Our Constitutional Framework
National Constitution Center
Learn more about the Constitution and all that it provides for and requires of our government. Read about the separation of powers among the three branches of government, checks and balances, judicial review, and individual rights.

Justice Learning
This website contains a collection of articles, teaching materials and products, audio programs, and links to learning more about constitutional issues. Certain issues, such as gun control and affirmative action, are featured in special formats, while other constitutional and legal issues, such as the War on Drugs and the environment are featured in the issue archives.

Constitutional Law
Interpreting and applying the U.S. Constitution is complicated. There is a special field of law, called constitutional law, in which people read the Constitution and examine other documents and ideas to figure out exactly how the Constitution relates to issues and problems that did not exist when it was written over 200 years ago.

Second Amendment
Take a closer look at how changing times lead to constitutional debates by examining arguments over the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Equal Rights Amendment
Read the language and history of the Equal Rights Amendment. There is still an effort to pass this amendment and make it a part of the Constitution. What are the arguments for and against this amendment? Why has it failed to pass?

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