Deliberating in a Democracy
Marriage and the State
What defines marriage in society? Scholars investigate the moral and legal arguments of what defines marriage. They analyze different marriage traditions and social customs around the world along with Supreme Court decisions. Individuals...
NPR
Same-Sex Marriage
The battle over same-sex marriage is a prevalent issue in the United States, and a valuable topic to be discussed in your social studies classroom. Here is a basic outline of introductory questions, focus questions, vocabulary, and media...
Curated OER
Juvenile Court - The Law
An interesting instructional activity on juvenile law, and the juvenile court system. Young law makers are given a lengthy document to read on the basics of juvenile law, then they must answer some questions about what they've read....
Serendip
Should States Repeal Their Laws Banning First Cousin Marriage?
Around half of the states in the US ban first cousin marriage, but does science support that ban? Scholars work through genetic analysis of the risks to understand if more states should ban the practice—or if some should remove it. They...
Curated OER
Sing if you're glad to be recognised by the law
Equal rights, state law, and Civil Partnerships is the topic of this class discussion. Upper graders hone their research skills to engage in an intelligent and well-supported discussion on the Civil Partnership Act of 2004. Provided are...
Curated OER
Dissolution of Marriage and Community Property
Students study the process for dissolution of marriage. They examine the different types of property in a community property regime and the basic presumptions associated with community property. They examine the impact of community...
Curated OER
Family Law -- Marriage and Divorce
Students examine the many rights involved in family law. In groups, they identify the laws in marriage and divorce in Washington. They discuss the reasons an annulment might be granted and how property is divided. They discover how...
Curated OER
When Marriage is a Crime
High schoolers compare and contrast forced marriages with arranged marriages. For this current events lesson, students examine legislation regarding forced marriages and then debate the forced marriage law in Britain.
Curated OER
Marriage and Family
Students explore society by researching the history of matrimony. In this marriage and family lesson, students identify the religious aspect behind marriage and the ideology associated with creating a family. Students define religious...
Curated OER
Would You Live Common Law?
Young scholars explore common law. In this sociology lesson, students discover what constitutes common law unions in Canada and then discuss how common law relationships compare to marriages.
Curated OER
Defying Convention: A World of Black and White
High schoolers watch a series known as "Unforgiveable Blackness". They examine the history of interracial marriage. They analyze how Jack Johnson was affected by this development.
Curated OER
Same Sex Marriage Legislation
Students explore the Vermont legislation that allowed for same sex marriages. The implications for civil rights are investigated to encourage students to state opinions.
Curated OER
The Origins of Islamic Law
Ninth graders examine Islamic Law. In this Law lesson, 9th graders read documents on the origins of Islamic Law. Students create answers to questions based on Islamic Law.
Curated OER
Marital Adjustments
Students discuss the importance of marital adjustments during marriage. They identify common marital adjustments and how to resolve them. (in-laws, sex, dual income, etc.) They determine that marriage adjustments are common and...
Curated OER
Ban on Same-Sex Marriage: Does it Violate 'Due Process' and 'Equal Protection'?
Learners examine due process and equal protection. In this current events instructional activity, students read the provided article, "Due Process and Equal Protection for Gays and Lesbians." Learners respond to the provided discussion...
Curated OER
Legally Wed
Students explore the controversial topic of same-sex marriages in a fishbowl discussion. They write balanced news articles based on interviews exploring people's opinions on laws that define marriage.
Curated OER
The Case of the Crooked Cartoon: Newton's Laws Set the Standard
Students have the opportunity to use higher-level thinking skills and to apply their talents to previously learned material. It provides an opportunity for visual, auditory, and tactile/kinetic learners to utilize their particular...
Curated OER
Marital Adjustments
Students discuss the importance of that marriage adjustment. They identify common marital adjustments and how to resolve them. (in-laws, sex, dual income, etc.) They determine that marriage adjustments are common and difficult; but...
Teaching Tolerance
Using Photographs to Teach Social Justice | Legal Action: The Supreme Court
A social justice lesson focuses on the Supreme Court case Loving v. Virginia which struck down laws that prohibited marriages between African Americans and white Americans. The lesson begins with class members examining a photograph of...
Curated OER
Eighteenth-Century Slave Codes
Students explore slavery by reviewing the written laws intended to keep African Americans subservient. In this U.S. slavery lesson, students analyze a time-line of the history of African Americans. Students discuss the patterns of the...
Curated OER
The Family
In this family in American society worksheet, students respond to 7 short answer questions and answer 15 vocabulary matching questions regarding the institution of family in different cultures.
Curated OER
Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Students create a poem/song that explains the grounds for divorce. They design a public service announcement informing the general public and fellow students what the affects of divorce can do to children.
Curated OER
Do Ask? Do Tell?
Students explore debates regarding gay rights following the Supreme Court's Lawrence v. Texas decision. They participate in a fishbowl discussion, exploring questions on marriage, adoption, custody, employment, and military service.
Curated OER
A New Society Project
Ninth graders examine the social and political movements of the Gilded Age and Progressive Era. In this American history lesson, 9th graders work in groups to form their own society and laws. Students make a diagram of their town and...