Presents a lesson plan which analyzes and discusses the U.S. Constitution in relation to the constitutions of other countries. States that this international approach offers a deeper understanding of the document and promotes a greater appreciation of it as students examine the values that underlie their rights and responsibilities. (GEA)

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines electoral college reform. The first section discusses how the electoral college functions and presents a brief history since 1787. The second section outlines four…

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of the Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to limit the President to a single 6-year term. The first section discusses the formative debate involved in the framing of the executive branch. The Presidential…

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines the implications for calling a National Constitutional Convention. The controversy over the power of the amending convention is explained through tracing its development in…

Presents three short Internet assignments that can be used in an introductory undergraduate U.S. government course. Explains that the assignments foster students' understanding of political science concepts, political behavior, and government structures while also improving students' information seeking skills. Provides results from student…

This program is intended for easy incorporation into curricula on U.S. history, state and local government, or contemporary issues and events. The objective is for high school students to gain direct exposure to the workings of the Connecticut state legislature and the decision-making process. The teacher's manual contains an introduction, a guide…

Proposes the use of works of fiction in introductory level public administration courses as a means of exploring questions concerning the bureaucratic state. "Walden Two,""Looking Backward,""The Trial, "Brave New World," and "1984" are discussed as examples of fiction which can be used. (KO)

Since its founding in 1983 The Jefferson Foundation has engaged increasing numbers of Americans in study and discussion of the U.S. Constitution. Through participation in Jefferson Meetings on the Constitution, citizens will come to a fuller understanding of how the Constitution was made, why it designed the national government the way it did, and…

A discussion guide, one of a series on constitutional reform issues by The Jefferson Foundation as part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to institute item and legislative veto power. The first section discusses the historical background surrounding the formative debate on veto legislation. The separation of…

Equipping students intellectually to become active participants in society through an understanding of the past is this text's goal. Based on expository and inquiry methods that encourage active participation by students, the document stresses the development of analytic and evaluative skills. The activities built into the lesson plans include…

Stresses the need to challenge students' unrealistic ideas and heightened expectations of U.S. presidential performance. Maintains that college courses about the presidency must stress the role of the president within the context of democratic accountability, Madisonian principles, and the separation of powers doctrine. Discusses presidential…

Explores the court structure in the United States and Canada. Explains the consequences of a dual or integrated system and why Canadians are adopting the U.S. system. (DB)

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as part of the Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to change congressional terms. The first section discusses representation and the sovereignty of the people through the issues of actual and virtual…

A discussion guide, one in a series on constitutional reform issues developed by The Jefferson Foundation as a part of The Jefferson Meeting on the Constitution project, examines proposals to establish terms of office for the Federal judiciary. The first section discusses the historical background of the Federal judiciary including the issues of…

This skills-text is the second of four books in the series "Readings in American History." The materials allow opportunities to improve reading and comprehension skills in a subject matter context by using certain primary sources related to the topic. Book 2 covers the period immediately following the American Revolution to the election of Abraham…