Legal Transitions Project Before You Begin

In this unit, you've looked at Judaism, Greek and Roman societies, and the rise of Christianity. Each of these cultures and religions had clear laws, tenets, or codes that were fundamental to its society or beliefs. Many of them have transcended time to impact our lives today in a wide variety of ways. Three specific rights from ancient times have made their way into our understanding of basic human rights. Not only America, but many countries around the world believe that many rights developed long ago are fundamental to human rights and should be a part of every modern society. These are written in the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Equality before the law

Innocent until proven guilty

Trial by a jury of your peers

Directions

Look at each of the three rights above and think about them for a moment. Are these new concepts to you? How do they function in our society? Are they part of every society across the world? Think back to the unit and consider which of these laws may have roots in ancient cultures and religions, especially, the Mosaic law, Christian thought, and Greek and Roman governments. Take one at a time and trace its origin. Where was each concept derived from, and how has it changed over time? How might this particular idea have been different from ideas in other cultures? How would it have changed the way that people functioned in society? In a comprehensive essay, write about each of the rights above, analyzing origins, ancient cultural impact, and how they have evolved to be so fundamental in our present time.

Prompt

Unit assignments and outside sources, such as the Internet, encyclopedias, and basic history of law texts, will provide helpful insight. Remember the importance of reading and citing original sources. Start with an outline, and fully develop the story of each right, citing both ancient and contemporary resources and fully arguing your opinion.

Rubric

Click here for a printable version of the project rubric that you will be graded by.

Criteria Points Possible 20 (10) 11-19 (6-9) 6-10 (3-5) 0-5 (0-2) Points Earned

Content

‧Theme tracing and analyzing three basic human rights

‧Main ideas, supporting evidence, details, textual evidence and developed opinion 20 Clearly and accurately discusses the chosen theme; excellent explication and correlation of images using assignments and other primary source texts; well-chosen supporting details and textual evidence. Limited understanding of the chosen theme; mediocre discussion and correlation of images with weak connection to the chosen image; appropriate supporting details and textual evidence. Understanding of theme is unclear; essay does not relate to the chosen image; limited or infrequent supporting details and textual evidence. Theme is not stated or does not make use of image; supporting details and textual evidence are nonexistent.

Organization

‧Introduction

‧Three body paragraphs

‧Conclusion 20 Strong organization; effective and engaging introduction, body, and conclusion. Organization is appropriate but lacks consistency; attempt at introduction, body, and conclusion. Attempts at organization; inappropriate use of lists or bullets; introduction, body, and conclusion are not developed. No clear organizational framework; no introduction, body, or conclusion.

Audience

‧Sense of audience

‧Formal style and objective tone 20 Style and tone are appropriate to audience. Style and tone are sometimes appropriate to audience. Style and tone are frequently inappropriate to audience. Style and tone are inappropriate throughout the essay.

Word Choice

‧Precise language

‧Domain-specific vocabulary 10 Excellent use of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary. Appropriate use of precise language and domain-specific vocabulary. Language and vocabulary lack precision and are sometimes misused. Language and vocabulary are often misused.

Sentence Fluency

‧Rhythm and flow

‧Variety 10 Sentences have easy rhythm and flow; excellent variety in length and structure. Sentences are appropriate but lack variety in length and structure. Sentences use awkward phrasing and choppy language; limited variety in length and structure. Sentences are incomplete or difficult to follow; language is confusing; no variety in length and structure.

Transitions

‧Linking words and phrases

‧Cohesion 10 Transitions create a cohesive essay. Transitions are sometimes used to link the sections of text. Transitions are awkward and ineffective. No use of transitions.

Conventions

‧Spelling

‧Grammar

‧Punctuation 10 Strong use of correct conventions; errors are few and minor. Most writing conventions are correct; occasional high-profile errors. Frequent errors; most errors do not interfere with readability. Frequent errors that interfere with readability.