Unit 2 Performance Task Ancient Law Codes Mock Trial

Unit 2 Performance Task Mock Trial

Unit 2 Performance Task – Ancient Law Codes Mock Trial

Surfing the internet one day after school for a social studies assignment about Islamic civilization, you are shocked to discover a picture of a person whose hand was severed as punishment for committing a robbery. You return to school the next day and ask your social studies teacher about what you saw. Your teacher explains that what you saw was a punishment from an ancient law code called Sharia that still exists in some countries today. You listen carefully, but are still confused about how a punishment so shocking could be allowed by any law. Your teacher explains that in ancient times, laws and punishments seemed much less fair and much more severe than they are today. They point out that even the Byzantine Empire’s Justinian’s Code, which was more like our legal system today than Sharia, was still very unfair to minority groups and didn’t give people the right to a fair trial. You nod, but your teacher can tell you aren’t satisfied with that answer. They decide that to better understand the way ancient law codes worked, you and your classmates will assume the roles of judges, lawyers, and defendants to put on a mock trial in which evaluate a scenario using the rules of Justinian’s Code or Sharia law.

To perform your mock trial, you must complete the following tasks:

Task 1 – Research Justinian’s Code and Sharia law. In a google doc, find and cite 5 reliable sources for each law code.

Task 2 – Create a poster in which you contrast the ancient law codes of the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations (Justinian’s Code and Sharia law).

Task 3 – Having distinguished between them in task 2, choose either Justinian’s code or Sharia law and research in more detail. Write a 5-paragraph essay in which you explain the cultural basis for each law code.

Task 4 – Working in groups with others who chose the same law code as you for task 3, you will choose a scenario in which a citizen gets into trouble with the law and perform a mock trial in which you and your group will act-out the likely outcome.

Unit 2 Performance Task Mock Trial

Task 1 – Law Code Research

Research Justinian’s Code and Sharia law. In your google doc, find and cite 5 reliable sources for each law code. Remember sources that pass value judgments about each law code are likely to be less reliable. Create a bibliographic citation for each source.

SCORING GUIDE FOR TASK 1:

Advanced (4) – Research meets all criteria for proficient; Research includes a primary source for each law code

Proficient (3) – Research includes at least 10 total reliable sources; Research includes at least 5 total reliable sources for each law code; Research includes a proper bibliographic citation for each source

Progressing (2) – Research meets only 1-2 of the criteria for proficient

Beginning (1) – Research meets fewer than 1 of the Proficient criteria; task to be repeated after re-teaching

Name: ______Score: ______Unit 2 Performance Task Mock Trial

Task 2 – Law Code Poster

Create a poster in which you contrast the ancient law codes of the Byzantine and Islamic civilizations (Justinian’s Code and Sharia law). Using your research, identify 4 topics to contrast between the law codes. Focus on points you would need to know if you needed to resolve an issue under each law code. On your poster, create a t- chart in which you differentiate Justinian’s Code and Sharia based on the 4 topics of contrast you have selected.

SCORING GUIDE FOR TASK 2: Advanced (4) – Poster meets all criteria for proficient; Posters are presented and insightfully explained in class

Proficient (3) – Poster includes 4 topics of contrast; Topics of contrast are relevant for resolving legal issues; Topics of contrast accurately differentiate between Justinian’s Code and Sharia

Progressing (2) – Poster meets only 1-2 of the criteria for proficient

Beginning (1) – Poster meets fewer than 1 of the Proficient criteria; task to be repeated after re-teaching Unit 2 Performance Task Mock Trial

Task 3 – Law Code Research Paper

Having distinguished between them in task 2, choose either Justinian’s code or Sharia law and research in more detail. Write a 5- paragraph essay in which you explain the cultural basis for each law code. Use the graphic organizer you completed at the end of task 2 to analyze the following components of each law code in your essay:

 What is the source and the basis of your law code?  Whose authority is final in your law code?  How does religion influence your law code?

Complete the 5-paragraph essay in your google doc. Include an introduction in which you identify and explain your law code. Use the three guiding questions as the body paragraphs of your essay. In your conclusion, you should explain how your law code might be applied in our society today and what the consequences may be.

Scoring Guide: Advanced (4) – Essay meets all criteria for proficient; Conclusion explains how law code might be applied in our society today

Proficient (3) – Essay is 5 paragraphs in length; Topic is clearly explained in introduction; Essay appropriately responds to 3 guiding questions for your topic; All sources are correctly cited in bibliography

Progressing (2) – Essay meets only 2-3 of the criteria for proficient

Beginning (1) – Essay meets fewer than 2 of the Proficient criteria; Chapter 14 and 15 tests will be administered in place of mock trial Unit 2 Performance Task Mock Trial

Task 4 – Mock Trial

Working in groups with others who chose the same law code as you for task 3, you will choose a scenario in which a citizen of the Byzantine or Ancient Islamic empires gets into trouble with the law. Based on your research, you and your group will determine what the likely outcome would be if a citizen was put on trial for the chosen offense. Then, you will create a script for the trial abiding by the laws of either Justinian’s Code or Sharia. A script would be required for the following roles depending on the law code you select:

-Judge (including judge’s decision) -Prosecutor -Plaintiff -Defendant -Defense Attorney -Witnesses

Your characters should be specific to the culture you are representing. In addition, you script should include creative dialogue between your characters that reflects cultural values of your chosen culture. Perform the trial using the script you created.

Scoring Guide: Advanced (4) – Trial meets all criteria for proficient; Trial is performed extemporaneously

Proficient (3) – Trial scripts clearly identify the crime committed and the law being violated; Trial scripts and outcome abide by chosen law code; Trial scripts are creative; Trial scripts provide speaking roles for all group members

Progressing (2) – Trial meets only 2-3 of the criteria for proficient

Beginning (1) – Trial meets fewer than 2 of the Proficient criteria; Chapter 14 and 15 tests will be administered in place of mock trial