Lenora
Zeitchick
WebQuest:
Should women be the only ones included in making decisions that affect their
own reproductive health?
Introduction
Prior to 1973, it was illegal for women to have abortions. Although there were instances in which women recognized that their pregnancies were unwanted, termination was illegal in most states and considered immoral and unethical in many religious communities. Many women risked having illegal abortions at great risk to their health. The question that you will be examining will be whether informed consent should be required by involved parties, such as the father or parents of minors.
Planned Parenthood v. Casey: Visual
The Task
You will examine several cases from CompuLegal in which women’s rights to make decisions regarding their own bodies are involved. You will form self -selected groups. In your groups you will explore arguments in support of and against abortion as well as note the history of abortion legislation over time. Once you have examined the facts, and reasoning of each case, including the arguments, precedents, and decisions using CompuLegal you will take a position and assume roles in a family situation involving abortion. Subsequently your group will present the legal arguments and precedents in support of your position to the class. Your group will have an opportunity to pose questions to the other group to gain insight. In addition, each group will be responsible for submitting documentation of their work in the form of a class project citing the CompuLegal resources located in the Resource Section of this WebQuest.
The Process
1.
Students will examine several cases, related to abortion, from CompuLegal to
gather information.
2.
Students will decide which position they agree/disagree with as related to the
inquiry question.
3.
Students will form self-selected groups.
4.
Groups will explore the actions, determine the values and examine the legal
bases that support their position.
5.
The groups will present their arguments to the class in the form of a
presentation.
6.
Each presentation will be debriefed.
7.
Students will determine whether the decisions made by the courts conform to
their values and what further changes they expect over time.
8.
Students will submit a class project of their work.
Resources
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/sales.roevis.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/sales.doe.html
http://www.maxwell.syr.edu/plegal/sales.planned.html
Evaluation
Student
evaluation will be based upon the following criteria:
Effort
and initiative
Teamwork
Role play presentation and debrief
Written
research project
Grade
of A
Excellent
1.
Student shows a complete understanding of the research topic.
2.
Student provides facts and opinions with supporting details.
3.
Student shows the ability to analyze, evaluate, and apply critical thinking
skills to information.
4.
Student participates in group process.
5.
Student submits complete written project.
Grade
of B
Good
1.
Student shows a good understanding of the research topic.
2.
Student provides facts and opinions with supporting details.
3.
Student shows the ability to analyze and evaluate information.
4.
Student participates in group process.
5.
Student submits complete written project.
Grade
of C
Passing
1.
Student shows a satisfactory understanding of the research topic
2.
Student provides facts and opinions with some supporting details.
3.
Student shows the ability to minimally analyze and evaluate information.
4.
Student participates in group process.
5.
Student submits written project.
Grade
of D
Incomplete
1.
Student shows a minimal understanding of the research topic.
2.
Student provides minimal facts and opinions.
3.
Student shows the poor ability to analyze and evaluate information.
4.
Student has difficulty participating in group process.
5.
Student submits incomplete written project.
Standards
Addressed
Social
Studies 5
ELA 1, 3, 4
Conclusion
By
completing this WebQuest
you have used CompuLegal to explore several issues involved in
abortion. You have then implemented the information in a presentation and
debriefing of your position. You have submitted your research and participated
in a group role play. You have also responded with a reflexion paper on your
feelings and experiences while completing this research project. You can now utlilize the
technological research and critical thinking skills that you have acquired
during this process to further explore this issue or any additional issues that
are of interest
to you.