The following curriculum materials are designed to be used with the Achievement Television program Advocacy and Citizenship. VHS tapes of the program can be ordered through the Gift Shop of the Academy of Achievement web site.
Program Overview
The third module focuses on lawyers and advocacy. Panelists discuss the role of an
attorney in a criminal trial in determining a clientps guilt or innocence. They explore
our legal systemps strengths and weakness in finding truth and justice through adversarial
conflict in the courtroom. Examples are given that illustrate that our system is
less than perfect. At times, courageous advocacy is called for to ensure justice
is achieved. The discussion concludes with an exploration of personal choice and
its role in determining personal behavior even if risks are involved.
Viewing/Facilitation Strategies
Introduce the Pre-Viewing Activity to the entire class. After students complete
the Open Mind activity, allow time for them to share their ideas.
Review the profiles of the guest panelists and discuss each personps training
and achievements. Discuss terms.
View Module III and if time allows, immediately break into groups for the collaborative
discussion and debate.
During a following class period, have the telecast available for review. Ask
students to select a Curriculum Connections Activity to complete independently or
with a partner.
Assign the research project as a class requirement or as an optional independent
project.
Student Activities
Pre-Viewing Activity:
After a class discussion about lawyers and advocacy, students complete an Open Mind
activity comparing the advocacy concerns of prosecution and defense attorneys.
Group Activity
In small groups, students discuss several comments made by panelist, Brendan Sullivan.
They select one quote for development into a debate question, and outline arguments
for and against the issue.
Curriculum Connections Activities
Business/Consumer: Ralph Nader and Consumer Rights
Health/Art: The Right to Choose
Career Education: Exploring a Career in Law
Research Project
Students conduct research on a famous trial or legal issue. They use their research
to develop a newspaper article, editorial, trial web site, or interview that explores
the issue from different points of view.
