Standing Up Against Injustice
In this lesson, students will work in groups to review five legal cases in which attorney William Kunstler played a prominent role and consider the power and limitations of the legal system to bring about positive social change. The clips used in this lesson are from the film William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe, a documentary on the life and legal cases of attorney William Kunstler. They are all accessible online.
Curriculum Link: http://www.pbs.org/pov/disturbingtheuniverse/lesson_plan.php Author: Cari Ladd, M.Ed.
Expected Student Outcomes/Objectives
By the end of this lesson, students will:
• Form a personal opinion about standing up to injustice.
• Research and summarize a legal case related to civil rights.
• Evaluate the power and limitations of the U.S. legal system to bring about social change.
Description of Activities
After an introduction to Kunstler’s philosophy, students will view video clips that contextualize much of the legal work defending activists who stood up to injustice. Then, in groups, students will review material on different cases Kunstler argued, and present the cases to the class. Follow-up discussion questions are provided, as well as extension activities to address such issues as prisoner’s rights, housing discrimination, and FBI surveillance.
Instructional Materials Needed
Internet access and equipment to show the class online resources
Instructional Materials Provided
Complete lesson plan instructions, with embedded links to resource materials and video clips, and suggestions for extension activities.
Curriculum type: Lesson
Academic subject areas: Career-Technical Education; History/Social Sciences
States' Career Clusters: Government & Public Administration; Law, Public Safety, Corrections & Secruity
California Industry sector(s): Public Services
Duration: two 50 minute periods
Grade Targets: 9, 10, 11, 12
Levels of Expertise for CTE: Concentration/Skill building, Capstone/Advanced
Standards Addressed: Detailed documentation of alignment with Common Core, NGSS, C3 or CTE Standards provided
Keywords: legal argument, legal cases, political prosecutions, 1960s and 1970s, social movements
Curriculum Link: http://www.pbs.org/pov/disturbingtheuniverse/lesson_plan.php