Consumer, Family & Housing Law

Mrs. Karen Hurley ¨ Grosse Ile High School ¨ 734 362-2416¨ email: HurleyK@gischools.org ¨ http://gischools.org/high/Hurley/index.htm

Remain in your seat until the dismissal bell ¨ Treat others as you would like to be treated.

Syllabus

Class: Consumer/Housing and Family Law

Texts: Arbetman and O’Brien, Street Law – A Course in Practical Law, 7^th Edition, West Educational Publishing, 2005. Workbook for Street Law. www.streetlaw.com

Description:

Consumer/Housing Law: Consumer law establishes a variety of rights and responsibilities to make the marketplace fair for buyers and sellers. The class will discuss many issues relating to consumer law and how to be a smart consumer. The unit concludes with a focus on two of the most significant consumer transactions faced by young people: buying a car and obtaining a place to live.

Family Law: You will learn about the basic unit of society – FAMILY. It is the most intimate and important of all social groups. Laws and government have an affect on individuals and families throughout their lives. Discussion of laws that relate to marriage, divorce, adoption, custody will be covered as well as government support for families and individuals.

The class may be tailored to the interests of the students. Guest speakers will be brought in to address students’ concerns relating to the laws. Field trips may be an added feature.

Objective: Provide a basic understanding of consumer and family law, your legal rights and responsibilities relating to consumer laws, knowledge of everyday legal problems, and the ability to analyze, evaluate, and, in some situations, resolve legal disputes.

What to bring to class: Book, binder with loose leaf--no spiral bound, writing instrument and YOURSELF

Percentage Weight of Work

50 – Homework or classwork

35 – Test/Quizzes

15 – Law Articles

Grading Scale: See student handbook

Homework

Due dates of homework will be announced. The work is expected on the assigned date—at the beginning of class. IF ATTENDING CLASS ON THE DAY AN ASSIGNMENT IS DUE AND THE WORK IS NOT DONE A ZERO WILL BE GIVEN. NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED. You are responsible for obtaining make-up work on the day you return to school. When absent only one day, the assignment is due the day after you return to class. See me for extended absences make-up work. All homework should have your name, date, class period and assignment name.

In-Class Work

This work is to be done while in class and is expected on my desk at the end of class. Students who skip class will not be permitted to make up in-class work.

Tests/Quizzes

All tests will be announced. Quizzes will not necessarily be announced.

Attendance/Tardies

You are considered tardy if you are not in the door when the bell rings.

Consumer Law Articles

You may be assigned to review a current article dealing with law of the current chapter or consumer/family/housing law in general. It is acceptable to use the Internet to find your article; however, you must print the article (for points) to turn in with your summary. Class time will be given to complete these. Articles will be assigned through the semester.

Saving Data

All data must be saved to your G: drive. Do not save to the C: drive. The computers will be reprogrammed several times during the semester without notice and all work on the C: drive is erased during reprogramming.

Computer Equipment:

Please treat the computer equipment in the classroom as if it was your own--your equipment, your responsibility.
- Any intentional damage or misuse of computer equipment will not be tolerated any may result in removal from class and loss of credit!!
All web design computer work must be done in class NOT at home
The Internet will be used for classroom projects, research, and email.
No Instant messaging AND no games
- If caught one hour of detention will be assigned. On third offense, a meeting with the ass’t. principal will occur and possible expulsion from the classroom.
Students may not download or install software of any kind.
You may not change any settings on the computers without specific permission from the teacher—that includes screen size, background pictures, etc.

Rules

1. When the instructor is talking, you are listening. The same courtesy will be extended to you. Address each other and your instructor politely and with respect.

3. When you have an excused absence it is your responsibility to obtain a homework request sheet AND hand in ALL missed assignments, homework and take tests within three school days. Make arrangements to write missed tests before or after school. Failure to follow the above steps will result in a zero. If it is an invalid absence, you will receive a zero for work and tests missed. It is your responsibility to find out what assignments were made during your absence.

4. No food or drink in class. Excepts will be made for bottles of water only.

5. All assignments must be completed according to the directions and must be turned in on the due date. Each day it is late is 10% off the received grade.

Consequences:

1^st offense: A verbal warning will be issued

2^nd offense: Student will stay after class to discuss the matter and identify the problem. Detention may be served

3^rd offense: Removal from the class and a conference between the student, the ass’t principal and teacher. At this time a decision will be made as to whether the parents need to be called to arrange a conference.

PHONE CALLS HOME COULD TAKE PLACE AT ANY TIME.