SC Bar

The South Carolina Bar Law Related Education Division and the Supreme Court of South Carolina are offering a statewide, interactive learning Institute, the “South Carolina Supreme Court Institute,” for eighteen middle and high school teachers (social studies, government, US History teachers) to encourage a better understanding and appreciation for the Supreme Court, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Separation of Powers. The Institute will focus on including outside resource persons to include SC Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal, along with fellow justices and various judges representing Federal Court, Family Court, Circuit Court, and Court of Appeals. Also included is a reception with the Justices, listening to live oral argument at the Supreme Court, a moot court activity, hands-on lesson building opportunities, a technology component, and a tour of the SC Court of Appeals. Two repeat mentors will be present for the Institute, who are experienced in both topic areas.

The objectives of the SC Supreme Court Institute include providing a thorough understanding of law related education and civic engagement; providing many activities that teach copious classroom implementation strategies; creating opportunities through meals, classroom activities, and discussion groups specific to the branches of government; providing discussion and question/answer opportunities for Institute attendees to talk with resource persons from the various branches of government; offering opportunities for daily evaluations, debriefs, and “parking lot” question/answer sessions; offering a pre- and post-Institute assessment of knowledge of the branches of government; and increasing awareness of LRE Division’s goals, programs, and resources as well as cross-disciplinary opportunities.

The five day Institute will take place in Columbia, South Carolina June 16-20, 2008.  This Institute will have a substantial impact on the attendees, as it is important for attendees to internalize the value of civic learning. Yet, it is indeed impossible to internalize an idea without substantial knowledge of the foundations on which it is built. In order for teachers to provide an adequate foundation for the civic learning to which they expose their students, those teachers must be as competent and confident in their subject area as possible. The ideas of the United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Separation of Powers within the government can easily enough be taught in a stand-and-deliver fashion that does not motivate or engage students. This Institute will both motivate and engage attendees, strengthening their understanding of these concepts, and providing them with tools to motivate and engage their students about the concepts as well.