When Is It OK to Break the Law?
This module delves into the examination of the fundamental principles that have shaped and motivated the establishment of a constitutional, federal republic. Providing a contextual foundation for this study, students will closely analyze Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” and employ it as a guiding compass to trace the evolution of these principles throughout history. Ultimately, the students will acquire a comprehensive understanding of the principles that influenced the creation of our federal republic. They will be able to articulate the factors that set our government apart from others, demonstrate a profound comprehension of the ideas that shaped the formation of the American republic, and identify their origins and how their application has extended to various sectors of society.
To achieve these objectives, students will engage in reading and analyzing pivotal documents and principles that exerted influence over the drafting of the US Constitution. Particular emphasis will be placed on comprehending the rationale behind each specific document or principle and exploring their subsequent development. Moreover, students are encouraged to contemplate how the central guiding question connects to the formulation of these documents and principles.
Driving Question
- When is it OK to Break the Law?
Hook
- Play Judas Priest Song as the Students Arrive
- Load the lyrics so students can see them (here)
- Question for students to answer “What is the song telling us?”
Process
- Have students read Letters from Birmingham Jail
- In small groups (2 or 3 students) produce a bulleted list of reasons and process for braking a law
- Create a consolidated list of the bullets produced by the smaller groups
Closing
Resources
Dr. King’s Geographic Analysis Map