2024 SCHOLARS CONFERENCE
SAMPLE AGENDA

This agenda is a sample based on previous conferences. It is subject to change.

Day 1

Welcome Session:
Introduce the Johnson Institute, staff and organizers, and share a history of Judge Frank Johnson.

Overview of the Court System and Appeals:*
An overview of the court system and the U.S Constitution. This presentation will explain the organization of the federal court system, how it relates to state and local courts, and give an overview of the philosophy behind the rule and role of law in society.

Civil Discourse and Difficult Decisions:*
A mock hearing on a fictional case designed to mimic an actual Supreme Court case. Participants will prepare and state their cases in front of the judge as advocates before changing roles and assuming the responsibility of jurors tasked with deciding the verdict.

Daily Wrap-Up:
During each end-of-day wrap-up, participants will discuss and consider where each session of the day could be incorporated into lesson planning based on example academic standards. FMJI staff will encourage teachers to have ideas jotted down to help with the Lesson Planning sessions later in the week so they aren't starting from scratch.

Group Dinner

Day 2

Survey of a Criminal Case:*
Presentation of the “nuts and bolts” of a criminal case, from the indictment through an appeal.

Survey of a Civil Case:*
Participants will learn elements of a civil case by studying the facts of the case, the significance of each filing by the plaintiff and defendant, and the outcome of the case.

Historic Court Cases:*
Presentation of a selection of historic court cases decided in Historic Courtroom
(Previous cases have included: Browder v. Galyle, Gomillion v. Lightfoot, Williams v. Wallace, Pugh v. Locke, and Frontiero v. Laird.)

Small Group Discussion Lunch: 
Participants will be divided into small groups based on subject matter to discuss each of the five cases, highlighting and sharing key points that they found relevant and good for the classroom use. 

Teaching Court Cases Part 1:
Pedagogical instruction on methods for teaching courts cases in the classroom based on lessons drawn from the facts of the cases and the more general theories contained in studying the law. 

Afternoon site visits in small groups:
Based on preference, small groups will visit notable public sites in Montgomery. FMJI will cover any admission costs. 

Dinner on Own

Day 3

Primer on Sentencing Law:*
Participants will prepare to attend an actual sentencing in the U.S. District Court. Judge will review the pre-sentencing report, discuss the sentencing guidelines, and walk the participants through the steps and procedures they will see in the courtroom. 

Sentencing:*
Participants will attend an actual sentencing. 

Sentencing Debrief:
Opportunity for participants to share thoughts and observations in a constructive manner and discuss this aspect of the United States legal system. 

Teaching Court Cases, Part 2:
Continued discussion of pedagogical methods for teaching about court cases in middle and high school classrooms. 

Presentation with Former Prisoner
Participants will be joined by a former prisoner who will discuss his life and experience in the U.S. Court system and federal prison.

Lesson Planning:
Participants will break up into small groups to develop lesson plans on the cases they have studied.

*Sessions led by federal judges and/or federal staff attorneys of the Middle District of Alabama. 

Lunch will be provided each day.