NEW! William & Mary Seminar, “It’s the Law” Comes to Compass

It’s the Law! Introduction to Law and the U.S. Legal System is a highly interactive, 3-afternoon seminar that introduces high school students to the US legal system. The seminar is presented by William & Mary Law School Chancellor Professor of Law Fred Lederer who also serves as the Director of William & Mary’s Center for Legal and Court Technology. Ordinarily, to participate in this seminar, students and their families would have to travel to Williamsburg for several days. This fall, Professor Lederer will bring his creative, thought-provoking seminar to homeschooled students in metro DC at Compass.

It’s the Law! Introduction to Law and the U.S. Legal System will take place on 3 Monday afternoons: October 22, October 29, and November 12 from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm. This seminar is planned for high school students in 9th – 12th grade (mature, motivated 8th grade students are also welcome.)

Some major themes and activities in this seminar include:

  • Collaborate with classmates to create a system of laws for a fictitious new colony
  • Test your system of laws with a series of imaginary crimes
  • Learn how to read and analyze actual court cases
  • Debate the merits of court cases
  • Learn how to write a legal brief
  • Discover how law is made by the courts
  • Unravel the process that lawyers and judges use to answer legal questions
  • Understand what law is, how it works, and the function of courts in making and interpreting law
  • Be prepared to follow contemporary legal events

    • Read the complete seminar description online. Understanding the US legal system is a key topic in Civics. Homeschool families may want to use this seminar as a partial credit in American Government for the teen’s homeschool transcript. The text for the class is provided by the instructor and loaned for the 3-part program. Register for this seminar or other classes online through Compass.