"Pin-the-Tail-on-the-Constitution" is an engaged-learning activity that has been conducted in 26 classes over the past four years. The activity teaches multiple themes commonly included in a variety of courses on American politics such as federalism, congressional powers, the role of the federal courts, and the relevance of the commerce…

Presents the opinions of nine professionals serving the justice system on the issue of providing representation in criminal and civil cases for those unable to pay for lawyers. Includes questions about the obligations of lawyers to provide counsel and the differences between legal representation in civil and criminal cases. (CFR)

Reviews the different contributions the study of the U. S. Constitution can make to public administration courses. Maintains that such study may force students to a deeper appreciation of the United States political community, ultimately strengthening their thinking on future practical problems in public administration. (JDH)

Examines the readability of the U.S. Constitution. Reports that, of 117 undergraduate students who read the document, approximately 25 percent had difficulty completing a cloze procedure based upon it. Calls for further research on the high school and college levels. Suggests that the Constitution be presented in learning environments designed to…

Argues that the philosophical context noted in Haynes's "How Skewed Is 'The Bell Curve,'" is incomplete; that the Constitution does not treat blacks the same as whites; and that not enough cultural and social context was addressed. The authors characterize the "The Bell Curve" as a wrecking ball for dismantling social programs…

This article discusses the constitutional amendment process. Although the process is not described in great detail, Article V of the United States Constitution allows for and provides instruction on amending the Constitution. While the amendment process currently consists of six steps, the Constitution is nevertheless quite difficult to change.…

States that in the past juvenile courts afforded children with fewer rights than criminal courts accorded to adults accused of the same crimes. Reviews three U.S. Supreme Court cases that affirmed the constitutional rights of juvenile offenders and changed juvenile court proceedings. Discusses whether the juvenile death penalty violates…

Current debates about the Constitution fall into the three following categories: (1) reappraisals of consitutional origins; (2) disagreements on hermeneutical principles used in contemporary applications; and (3) discussions of contemporary events whose consequences for law and political stability could not have been foreseen by the Constitution's…

Summarizes the content of the federal constitution and various state constitutions regarding freedom of the press. Examines certain borderline issues, including actions and expressions, pornography, defamation, libel, and copyrighted material. States that regulation of unprotected material must be reasonable, specific, and clear. Discusses what…

Engages students in comparing the rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with those present in the United States Bill of Rights and other constitutional amendments. Challenges the students to explore reasons for the presence or absence of certain rights and to reflect on the role of the government. (CMK)

The U.S. Supreme Court decision that it is unconstitutional for public entities to ban specific kinds of "fighting words" without banning all such speech is discussed as it concerns institutions of higher education. It is viewed that the college campus, not the cities, is where this decision will be tested. (GLR)

Describes a four week simulation of the U.S. Constitutional Convention in which ninth grade students use problem-solving and decision-making skills to debate the issues of the convention. Students are assigned identities and interest areas to stimulate the writing of a class constitution which is then compared with the U.S. Constitution. (LS)

Discusses the constitutional issues involved in government funding of religious schools. Argues against school choice and suggests that religious schools do not offer a real choice. Warns against state involvement in religious schools as a threat to freedom of religion, separation of church and state, and the independence of private schools. (DK)

Describes the court case of Chicago v. Morales in which an anti-loitering ordinance challenged the constitutional right of assembly by giving the police the power to disperse anyone associated with gang members in public. Illustrates the importance of retaining Fifth Amendment rights even after pleading guilty in the case of Mitchell v. U.S. (CMK)

Presents a lesson plan that teaches students to analyze and identify the constitutional rights that protect individuals accused of crimes. Student handouts include a checklist of situations and corresponding constitutional protections and a scenario involving a murder at the school. Activities include guided group discussions. (MJP)