The Verdict We Inherited: Investigating History's Judgments Grades 7-8
Question the Past. Examine the Evidence. Deliver Your Own Verdict
8 class sessions over 3 weeks, 2 hours per class (12 hours of instruction)
July 7 - July 30
Tuesdays & Thursdays
10:45 - 12:15 p.m. PST
Course Description:
How have bias, power, and incomplete evidence shaped the way certain people were judged by history?
In The Verdict We Inherited, students will investigate a historical case in which a person or group was accused, condemned, or misrepresented. Inspired by the work of The Innocence Project, students will examine the historical context, available evidence, and competing narratives surrounding the case. Through guided research and structured writing instruction, they will strengthen their informational and argumentative writing skills as they analyze how bias, power, and incomplete evidence shape public judgment. Students will develop a well-supported reassessment grounded in credible sources, learning to evaluate information critically and construct clear, persuasive arguments rooted in evidence.
Course Objectives:
Instructor Biography:
Mr. Carranza was a fellow of the UCI Writing Project Summer Institute in 2021. He teaches English and Journalism at Jefferson Middle School in the San Gabriel Unified School District. After earning a BA in Literature at Cal State Long Beach, he went on to earn an MA in English at Claremont Graduate University where he learned the value of cross-curricular work. He believes strongly in centering students’ own experiences and voices in their learning and the lasting impact that their stories can bring.
How have bias, power, and incomplete evidence shaped the way certain people were judged by history?
In The Verdict We Inherited, students will investigate a historical case in which a person or group was accused, condemned, or misrepresented. Inspired by the work of The Innocence Project, students will examine the historical context, available evidence, and competing narratives surrounding the case. Through guided research and structured writing instruction, they will strengthen their informational and argumentative writing skills as they analyze how bias, power, and incomplete evidence shape public judgment. Students will develop a well-supported reassessment grounded in credible sources, learning to evaluate information critically and construct clear, persuasive arguments rooted in evidence.
Course Objectives:
- Research and evaluate multiple credible sources related to a historical case
- Write an informational piece that clearly explains context and evidence
- Develop a focused argumentative claim supported by strong reasoning and evidence
- Revise writing for clarity, precision, and persuasive impact
Instructor Biography:
Mr. Carranza was a fellow of the UCI Writing Project Summer Institute in 2021. He teaches English and Journalism at Jefferson Middle School in the San Gabriel Unified School District. After earning a BA in Literature at Cal State Long Beach, he went on to earn an MA in English at Claremont Graduate University where he learned the value of cross-curricular work. He believes strongly in centering students’ own experiences and voices in their learning and the lasting impact that their stories can bring.