Civics and Law Academy

THE MARYLAND CIVICS AND LAW These areas are: ACADEMY engages young people of middle school and high school age in Law and Justice learning about law and society. The purpose Power and Empowerment of the Academy is to prepare young people Identity and Pluralism to be participants in our democratic society. Freedom and Equality In an Academy, knowledgeable, civically Rights and Responsibilities Civics active judges, legal professionals and Constitutions and Constitutionalism educators share their expertise, experience, and Law and enthusiasm for civic engagement with Law and Justice young participants. Participants examine the nature and function of law in society and, Academy Why Civics and Law? in particular, in American society. Academies are designed to develop civic They explore the ideal of justice, the competency, which requires knowledge relationship of law to justice, and about law. Understanding of law and legal the operation of legal institutions. issues is essential to understanding the functioning of government, culture, and Power and Empowerment society. By participating in an Academy, young people gain the knowledge, skills, Participants are introduced to and values needed to function effectively the concept of power in politics in our pluralistic, democratic society and government, focusing on the based on the rule of law. United States. Participants explore the purpose, authority, and limits of political power. Looking at Instruction power in the context of democratic The Academy provides participants with a government, they consider how minimum of eight (8) hours of curricular “we the people” can be politically focus. Sessions will be scheduled according engaged and empowered to to the needs of the sponsors and instructors. participate in civic life.

Judges may choose from six (6) different people in learning young aboutEngaging law and society legal areas to explore issues of law and civic participation within their curriculum, Maryland Judiciary developed by the American Bar Association. Government Relations and Public Affairs Division mdcourts.gov/communications 410-260-1488 Civics and Law Academy Rights and Responsibilities Participants explore the concept of Constitutions and Constitutionalism individual rights and the challenges Participants examine the ideal of consti- in protecting and guaranteeing such tutionalism, the general principle that the rights. It identifies basic political and authority of government derives from the individual rights secured under the people and is limited by law, and the actual U.S. Constitution and the reciprocity of practices of constitutional governments. It rights and responsibilities, such as those contemplates how and why the U.S. Con- related to voting. stitution has changed over time and has been interpreted by the federal courts and American Identity and Pluralism amended through constitutionally estab- lished procedures. Participants also analyze Participants seek answers to the institutions and political/legal processes questions, such as “What does it critical to sustaining American civil society mean to be an American?” “What under the rule of law. does it mean to be a citizen?” “How is American identity forged in the context of a complex pluralistic Freedom and Equality society?” They examine how the Participants explore two fundamental, legal standards and political ideals highly cherished principles of American enshrined in America’s founding constitutional democracy—freedom and documents and symbols help form equality. that identity. They also explore the ways the diverse values and beliefs Participants examine how the principles Americans hold influence our sense of are related. They study how individuals and national identity and the core norms groups have secured freedom and equality of civil society. under law, which has sometimes involved using the law to challenge the status quo.

The Academy’s partners include the American Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association and the Citizenship Law-Related Education Program for the Schools of Maryland (CLREP).

The Civics and Law Academy is an important tool needed to promote public understanding of the courts and, thus, to a means of increasing the public’s trust and confidence in the administration of justice. Judges are needed to volunteer to conduct sessions. To volunteer or for more information, contact the Maryland Judiciary | Government Relations and Public Affairs Division: 410-260-1488. PARTNERS