Lady (In)Justice: A critical look into the symbols of the criminal justice system

Dr. Stephanie Jerstad, Assistant Professor, Millersville University

Course: SOCY 331 Police and Courts

Activity and mini-lesson plan: Lady (In)Justice: A critical look into the symbols of the criminal justice system

Purpose

Lady Justice was designed to represent the fundamental goals of the criminal justice system: fairness, equality, impartiality and swift and final punishment. But, are her symbols an accurate representation of America's criminal justice system?

This Lady (IN)Justice.pptx and activity will introduce students to Lady Justice, the meaning behind her symbols, and to encourage students (individually and as a group) to critically analyze the American criminal justice system by examining her symbols and to consider if they are an accurate representation. Students (in groups) will be tasked to create a new Lady Justice that embodies what they believe our criminal justice system truly represents based on their current knowledge.

This activity allows students to be creative, use their knowledge from course material, lecture, and classroom discussion as a guide to reframe justice in America through the use of symbols. Students will gain a sense of authority in the classroom by participating in this activity.

Context

This Lady Justice lesson plan.docx and activity can be given anytime during the semester, or even multiple times throughout the semester. In the beginning of the semester the activity can be based on what they think they know about the criminal justice system, and later in the semester the activity can be re-introduced to see if their group's Lady Justice changes based on what they now know. It really is up to you.

Criteria

There is no criteria for evaluation of this activity. It truly is designed to encourage students to critically analyze the symbols of our criminal justice system.

Metacognitive Conversations

This activity encourages students to develop an awareness of their thinking processes, and focus with greater intention and add reflection of how members of the classroom perceive the symbols of the criminal justice system.

Details

1. Divide your students into small groups, preferably groups of three or four.

2. Hand out the Lady Justice Group Activity.docand ask your students to work together and discuss as a group if they believe Lady Justice accurately symbolizes the American criminal justice system, or if she should be modified. If students believe she should be modified, ask them to write in the space below how she should be modified and what symbols should be used in their place, or in a different location.

3. Once every group is finished, have each group share with the class their modified Lady Justice on how she should actually look to accurately reflect the criminal justice system.

4. There is no time limit to complete the group activity. Groups work at their own pace, conducive to your class time constraints.

Text and Materials

The Lady (IN)Justice Power Point, lesson plan notes, and activity sheet are available on this website for your use in the classroom.

Please note the creative commons license when using this lesson and activity in the classroom. Credit must be given to the author.