Carl Finer, Reynolds Institute fellow Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School Los Angeles, CA [email protected]

ASNE Lesson Plan outline:

Subject:

Stephen Glass on trial

Description of School and Students:

Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School is a public charter school in South Los Angeles. The school has 536 students enrolled in grades 6-8. The school is 99% Latino and 1% African-American, and 30% of students are classified as English Language Learners.

Generative Topic:

Journalism ethics, case studies, argument writing

Generative Objects:

- SPJ code of ethics or similar code

- Feature piece written by Stephen Glass (such as “Hacker Heaven” from )

- Retraction of Glass’ work and public apology written by editors in the New Republic (can use other retractions as well, such as from “”)

- California Supreme Court docket on hearing of Glass’ appeal to be admitted to the California Bar Association

- Readings that highlight pro and con arguments as well as statements from supporters of both sides for Glass being admitted to the California Bar

- Mock Trial protocol and handouts

- Directions for final essay

Understanding Goals:

SWBAT identify which ethical standards Glass broke.

SWBAT analyze the effects of those ethical breaches for different groups (exp: Glass himself, readers, publications, journalism as a whole).

SWBAT evaluate the credibility of arguments made for and against Glass’ rehabilitation to make a decision about his future as a professional.

Essential Question:

To what extent do public interest professionals (such as journalists and lawyers) have a responsibility to act ethically?

What are the implications, for themselves and society, if a journalist does not act ethically?

Critical Engagement Questions:

What did Glass do? Why does it matter? Can people change? What should happen to Glass?

Action plan/activities:

§ Read a piece written by Glass (such as “Hacker Heaven”) as a model of “good feature writing.” o What does this piece do well? o What strategies draw in the reader? o What is the sourcing in this piece? Who are these people, and what are there titles or positions? o What are the different perspectives in this piece? § Read editor’s notes/ retraction from the New Republic o What are the editors saying? o How does make you feel? o What violations of your code of ethics did Glass break? o What are the implications of this? Why does this matter? § Catch class up on what has happened to Glass since then (through summary or readings) o Glass was fired as a journalist o A movie was made (can screen “Shattered Glass”) o He went to law school () o He applied to the Bar Association in New York but was rejected on moral grounds o He moved to California and applied to the Bar there o His request was initially denied by the Bar, then his appeal granted in court o The Bar has then appealed, and now the case sits with the California State Supreme Court (note: as of July 2013, the Court has not handed down a decision) § Set up that class will be putting Glass on trial, playing the role of attorneys for both sides and judges in the case. § Conduct guided reading of witness statements and readings outlining arguments for and against Glass’ admission to the Bar o Read articles o Complete graphic organizer, such as a pro/con chart or summary of argument and counterarguments § Prepare for mock trial o Using preferred format, assign roles (such as legal team for both sides, witnesses, and judges) o Review trial procedures o Set up a system for notetaking during the trial as well as a way for everyone in the room to participate (such as by passing notes to the defense team, or by swapping roles during the trial) § Conduct mock trial, and self-monitor individual contributions/evaluate performance of participants § Write judges decision, using readings as well as arguments made during the mock trial. Using our ethical framework and what you have learned about Stephen Glass, should he be admitted to the California Bar?

Assessment:

Students write a legal-style brief for the case, making a decision based on the evidence read and presented in light of an agreed-upon ethical framework.

Resources:

Compendium of Glass’ writings: http://www.rickmcginnis.com/articles/Glassindex.htm

Public arguments for and against Glass: http://blogs.reuters.com/jackshafer/2011/12/07/the-trial-of-stephen-glass/ http://www.businessinsider.com/stephen-glass-practice-law-in-california-2011-12 http://www.richardbradley.net/shotsinthedark/2011/12/30/joe-nocera-gets-it- wrong-on-stephen-glass/ http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/16/justice/stephen-glass

Mock Trial resources: http://www.citizenshipfoundation.org.uk/main/resource.php?s100

(NOTE: This link is from the UK but is very middle-school friendly. Make adjustments to fit American legal system, as well as to differentiate between criminal and civil trials).