Marquette Catholic High School announces that students enrolled in the school’s ACP Government class, taught by Mr. Dick Schaefer, will be attending a special presentation of oral arguments to the Indiana Court of Appeals held at Michigan City High School.
In MQT’s ACP Government class the students examine the various elements which comprise the political system of the United States. In-depth attention is given to the following areas of study: foundations of American government, citizenship and civil liberties, public participation and interaction with the government (political parties, elections, interest groups, public opinion, mass media), the legislative branch, the executive branch, the judicial branch, the federal bureaucracy, public policies and services (foreign and domestic policies, national defense, taxing, spending.)
This Advance College Project is different than the typical Government class in that more in- depth attention is given to course material than you would find in a traditional government class. The workload is also more demanding.
The program, “Appeals on Wheels,” the class will be attending will be held at Michigan City High School. The Indiana Court of Appeals periodically will conduct oral arguments in various high schools throughout the state in order to give students the opportunity to witness something they ordinarily wouldn't have the chance to see. Besides listening and seeing the oral arguments, students will have a chance to ask questions of the judges, but cannot ask anything about the particular case being argued the day of our trip.
Mr. Schaefer states, “I hope the students get a better understanding of what makes up an appeals procedure, as well as what the attorneys for both sides feel are the strongest points of their respective positions. I think it is wonderful that the Court of Appeals makes the effort to inform our young people as to how that court functions. Witnessing this firsthand will be so much more meaningful to the students than simply reading about it or discussing it in class.”