Would law be a good compulsery subject in schools?

Question

I dont think its fair people are expected to know every aspect of the law without being properly educated in it.

opinions please.

I should have specified, I meant in English schooling. And im not expecting them to do diplomas just learn the basics.

Answer 1

Yes! Even just the basics. Law basics (such as general rights and obligations) should be integrated into Social Studies.

Answer 2

At least for schools within countries following the Common Law system, law study does not involve learning what the laws ARE, but how the laws have been interpreted and reasoned over time. As much as I appreciate my law degree, I don't think it would help people become more law-abiding to make such a degree compulsory.

The fact is that it is rare for people to break the law inadvertantly. Most, if they do not know exactly what they are doing wrong, have a sense that they are stretching the bounds of the acceptable. Who really thinks it is okay within the law to take other people's property, to injure others, to buy or sell drugs? That is the time to look up what the law is before going further down the wrong path.

Answer 3

Kids already have to do enough compulsery subjects. At my school i have to do English, English Literature, Maths, Double Science, French, ICT, a half course in another foreign language and a half course in Religious Studies. We also have to do core P.E but this isn't a GCSE This leaves me with three subjects I am allowed to chose. Soon everything will be compulsery. If you look at past newspaper articles they were saying students have to do Geography and History. And as for the drop in languages after 14 years old that was a stupid mistake. Good thing my school's a language school or I would be forced to do some needless course such as Media.

Answer 4

I think law will be a nice compulsory subject in school. Perhaps high school since students in elementary are still kids. And since not all students finishing high school goes to college whatever the reason.

I think it is a good subject to be compulsory. I don't expect the students to become lawyers and able to present themselves in court. But to know and understand the basic law enough so as to prevent being abused or abusing someone else. To understand the worth of the law. His / Her rights as citizens.

In some countries people are being abused of their rights because those learned abusive few know that the people are nice and have little knowledge of the law and rights.

Answer 5

In itself I do not think it should be a compulsary subject. It could and should be a strong part of citizenship/pshe. Law GCSE would work as an option subject in some schools but as a history teacher I think those who wish to work in law are able to get most of the key skills in history.

Politics and world awareness might be a good suggestion for a new course. It is frightening how little young people know about the world around them.

Answer 6

no--first of all, no class would be effective. what exactly would you teach in the class? attorneys go to school for three years to learn the law, and they only get an introduction. do you think you'll learn everything you need to know about income tax, torts, or property in a one year high school class? plus, the law changes every year. the class would be outdated before you graduate.

most of the law is based on common sense--don't murder. don't steal something that isn't yours. treat other people fairly. don't act so recklessly that you put other people or their stuff in danger. do you need to know if a law has been written yet to know you should not create a destructive computer virus that's going to wipe out other people's hard drives? do you need to know the state's exact alcoholic level to know you shouldn't drink and drive?

as for the details, most people have a good sense when they are getting into a problem area. you don't need to be an accountant or a securities trader to know that income tax law and securities law are complicated and that you may need to consult a professional. if you're buying a gun, you need to check out the law on buying and carrying details.


EDIT: one minute you're complaining that it isn't fair that "people are expected to know every aspect of the law" then you say they just need to be taught the basics. what exactly is your complaint? what basics would you want them taught?

Answer 7

None- we should focus on full functional literacy and numeracy first.
We must remove all non-core subjects from the education system. There are no other subjects that provide the basis for all others as those (Reading, writing, arithmetic).
They can read about the law later, from a book (not the internet).

I used to work as a part-time tutor at a uni- most of my time was spent correcting grammar and teaching people how to read effectively.

Answer 8

Law is a ancillary subject, this is only applying for commerce,and arts study, except Science and Maths subject. Suppose if you want to study B.L (Bachelor of Law), the subject will be covered only with the portion of commerce and arts subjects, like Industrial and Business law.

This is not Compulsory for all subject in schools, except commerce and arts department.

Answer 9

The class already exists: American history or whatever the equivalent name of it may be. How many kids can recite the Bill of rights? Amendments to the constitution? If they can't even hack that, an age-old subject, then there is no hope.

Answer 10

Yes law should be the compulsory in school so as to become a lawyer.