SECOND ANNUAL ADAMS CENTER SUMMER RESIDENTIAL INSTITUTE FOR TEACHERS

JUNE 23-25, 2009

Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, PA

The Arlin M. Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University, in collaboration with the Education Department of the university, is pleased to offer a three-day summer institute for selected Pennsylvania social studies teachers. The purpose of this institute is to provide attending teachers with an enhanced understanding of the American Justice System, and to assist them with the development of a unit of study on the judicial branch of government for implementation during the 2009-2010 school year. The units of study will be developed by teacher “teams” in accordance with state and national academic standards.

The institute will be led by Allan D. Sobel, Director of the Adams Center for Law and Society and former President of the American Judicature Society; Wayne F. Heim, Director of the Teacher Intern Program at Susquehanna University and former public school teacher and administrator; and Nancy Peterson, Iowa public high school government teacher and experienced curriculum consultant. The institute will be divided into five sessions. There will be two sessions on Tuesday and Wednesday (8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00), and one session on Thursday (8:00-12:00). Day one will be devoted to providing a foundation of key justice system issues and to establishing a common understanding of the powers and important cases of the justice system. Day Two will be devoted to establishing guidelines for unit development and assisting teachers with the writing of their units of study. Day three will be devoted to final drafts of units of study and group presentations of completed projects.  

Through a generous grant from the Foundation for the Advancement of an Independent Judiciary and the Rule of Law, each participant will receive a stipend in the amount of $200, meals, snacks, overnight accommodations in university dorms (individual rooms), Act 48 credit, and, if requested, on-site support from the Adams Center when the units of study are implemented. This will be the second annual summer institute offered by the Center.  

Units of study developed by last year’s participants and by Ms. Peterson, and an application to attend the 2009 institute are available at http://www.susqu.edu/lawandsociety/education.htm.   The units of study, to be developed by the teacher teams, will be interactive, address students’ different learning styles, and accommodate all ability levels. Each unit of study will have identified objectives and aligned assessments. The specific points to be covered may include any of the important lessons to be learned about the justice system, including, but not limited to:

• The role of courts in deciding contentious legal issues.
• The twin concepts of judicial independence and accountability, which require judges to base decisions on the rule of law and the facts before the court, not on personal preferences or in response to public or political pressure.
• The importance of due process (following prescribed rules and safeguarding individual rights) and the rule of law (applying the law equally regardless of social, political, or financial status).

After the units of study have been evaluated and modified as necessary, they will be posted on our website and otherwise be made available so teachers around the state, country, (and world) may access them, use them, and provide feedback.  

If you would like to be considered for participation in this exciting, informative institute, please complete and return the application form no later than Friday, May 8, to Ms. Michelle Arcuri, Adams Center for Law and Society at Susquehanna University, 604 University Avenue, Selinsgrove, PA 17870. You may also return the application form by email to Ms. Arcuri at arcuri@susqu.edu or by facsimile transmission at 570-372-2867. All applicants will be notified as soon as possible, and no later than May 15, as to whether they have been selected to participate.