** Outlaws & Justice **

(Out)Laws & Justice (formerly (Out)Law & Order) is an eighth-grade interdisciplinary curriculum of history/social studies, language arts and drama. Students explore core American values of honor, justice, rugged individualism and the right of self-defense that formed public policy and individual behavior during 19th century westward expansion, and the legacy of those values in their own lives today. Students then dramatize what they learn in original plays that they write and perform.

(Out)Laws & Justice is a project of Community Partners

a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.

Funding is provided by private donations.

Contributions are tax-deductible.

Graphic Design, René Neri

(OUT)LAWS & JUSTICE In the Press

January 8, 2008 - (Out)Laws & Justice Web site Announced
June 5, 2007 - La Opinion Editorial
May 31, 2007 - Press Release, Advisory

For Immediate Release
Los Angeles, Calif. - January8, 2008

Contact: Lisa Citron
323.702.9682
lisacitron@outlawsandjustice.org

(Out)Law & Order has a brand new name! And…. a new web site.

What is fair and what is unfair? What is just? What is unjust?

Our new name emphasizes a major theme of study — justice itself.

Justice is divided into three categories: distributive justice, corrective justice and procedural justice.

The (OUT)LAWS & JUSTICE curriculum focuses on relationships between 19th century American westward expansion and contemporary realities faced daily in students’ lives.

While it may seem unnecessarily complex to teach three types of justice to middle school students, it is actually helpful. With each issue of justice a different set of ideas or “intellectual tools” is used. Through discussion, writing and by theater teaching artists teaching drama in the classroom, students examine and practice making decisions in each category.

In the context of justice, three other important recurring themes are explored in (OUT)LAWS & JUSTICE — honor, rugged individualism and the right of self-defense. The principles and values in specific situations are dramatized and culminate in plays written and performed by our eighth-grade students.