Your thoughts… Before we start, read through your thoughts on euthanasia from the end of last lesson to refresh your memory. Ask students to look back at their written reflection on their thoughts on euthanasia to refresh their memory for this lesson.

Euthanasia Learning Objective: To explore the concept of euthanasia through the case study of Paul Lamb. I can explore the case study of Paul Lamb. I can consider the arguments for and against changing the law on euthanasia in the UK. I can write persuasively to explain my views on euthanasia.

Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? Key Question Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? We are going to explore this question through the case study of Paul Lamb who has taken his fight to be allowed to die to the Supreme Court, the highest court in the UK. Pose our key question for this lesson ‘Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die?’ Show the clip of Paul Lamb taking his battle to the supreme court to be allowed to die. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p18QCf0bT0k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p18QCf0bT0k

Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? Imagine you are the judge in Paul Lamb’s Supreme Court case. The judge knows that if they allow euthanasia in this instance it will set a legal precedent for other euthanasia cases in the future so they need to take this into account when making their decision. What would you decide? Yes Not sure No Students need to vote yes, no or not sure (by the end of the lesson they will just be able to choose yes or no) on our key Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? You could do this as a class count/vote with your feet/continuum line/quadrant Take initial thoughts from the class – why have they voted yes/no etc. Why do you think/say that? Why do you think somebody might disagree with that? Could you explain your point further? Is this always the case? Can you give me an example of that? Can you support that statement with evidence? What is the counterargument for…? What might be an alternative viewpoint? Also try to link opinions to the four aims of punishment – get students to extend their answer to include them.

Discussion Before making their decision, a judge will listen to the arguments for and against the case as well as evidence from experts such as doctors. In small groups you need to form an advisory panel for the judge on the case. You will each be given a role… A doctor A supporter of legalising euthanasia A disabled person who does not want euthanasia to be legalised because they fear it will devalue the disabled community A Christian supporting euthanasia A Christian against euthanasia You will each need to prepare a persuasive speech to give to the panel explaining your views. You will then take it in turns in your groups sharing your thoughts. Divide students into groups of 5. Each group is going to form an advisory panel for the judge on Paul Lamb’s case. Each person will be given a role (on the PPT) such as a doctor, a Christian for euthanasia etc. They will each need to prepare a speech to give to the panel. When they have written their speech they need to spend time in their groups reading them out. They will need to use their research from last lesson to help them write their speeches. At the end of the speeches they need to decide who they think argued the most persuasively. Get these students to read out their speeches to the class.

Something to consider… Before you make your final decision as to whether you think Paul Lamb should be allowed euthanasia and make way for a change in the law, take a look at this case study: Before letting students have their final vote on the Paul Lamb case show them the article about a man in the Netherlands that was allowed euthanasia because of his addiction to alcohol. Do they agree or disagree with this? Does this change their view on the Paul Lamb case in any way? Remind them that it would set a legal precedent for others asking for euthanasia. Facilitate a class discussion here. http://www.itv.com/news/2016-11-30/dutch-alcoholic-allowed-to-die-under-euthanasia-laws/ http://www.itv.com/news/2016-11-30/dutch-alcoholic-allowed-to-die-under-euthanasia-laws/

Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? Decision Time Should a judge allow Paul Lamb to be helped to die? What would you decide if you were the judge on this case? Yes No Go back to the class count from the beginning of the lesson – this is their final vote. They need to decide yes or no. What has made you change your mind? What has made you stay the same but convince you further? Why do you think/say that? Why do you think somebody might disagree with that? Could you explain your point further? Is this always the case? Can you give me an example of that? Can you support that statement with evidence? What is the counterargument for…? What might be an alternative viewpoint? Also try to link opinions to the four aims of punishment – get students to extend their answer to include them. Compare to original vote.

What happened? Paul Lamb lost his Supreme Court case so took his case to the European Court of Human Rights where his case was also denied. Reveal what actually happened. Paul Lamb lost his battle with both the Supreme Court and the European Court of Human Rights. If you have time read through the article. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11743319/Right-to-die-European-court-rejects-Paul-Lamb-and-Tony-Nickinsons-widow-case.html As a final activity if you have time students can write a final reflection explaining why they voted yes or no. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/11743319/Right-to-die-European-court-rejects-Paul-Lamb-and-Tony-Nickinsons-widow-case.html