The Navajo Nation, comprising the largest land area allocated mainly to a Native American jurisdiction in the United States, offers a unique opportunity to enhance students' understandings of citizenship rights and sovereignty. For example, what does sovereignty mean on the reservation? What is the relationship between the Navajo Nation and the…

Applicants for U.S. citizenship must pass the naturalization test on U.S. history, government structure, constitutional principles, and basic English skills. Although no formal preparation for the exam is required, many immigrants, especially those with limited English proficiency, avail themselves of citizenship classes offered by community adult…

Preparing poster-sized organizational charts forces students and reporters to develop detailed familiarity with their assigned news beats. (RL)

Describes a five-day instructional unit designed for seventh and eighth graders about the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Points out that the individual rights in the First Amendment often conflict with the rights of the majority. Provides student questions and suggestions for resources and activities. (CFR)

Describes how the West German parliamentary government, although originally modeled after the British parliament, is different because it allows for separation of powers similar to the U.S. government. Illustrates how a teacher can use an examination of the executive office to describe governmental relationships. (GG)

Constitutional law is a good way to introduce students to fundamental debates over means and ends, over what means work and at what costs, and over what ends are not merely desirable, but may be legitimately achieved even through the application of collective force. It also offers an exciting way to teach logic. (MLW)

Goals, course structure, physical and technical problems, the running of a simulation and evaluation of students are described for a game representing the political system of Argentina in a university comparative government course. (Author/KM)

THIS COURSE WAS DEVELOPED AS PART OF AN INTEGRATED AND SEQUENTIAL, HIGH SCHOOL SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM FOR ABLE STUDENTS (UPPER 25 PERCENT). THE COURSE CONSISTS OF 9 UNITS OF STUDY, EACH UNIT CONTAINING A BRIEF STATEMENT OF A POLITICAL ISSUE AND SEVERAL READINGS ON THAT ISSUE. SOME ISSUES COVERED ARE (1) POLITICAL SYSTEMS OF PRIMITIVE SOCIETIES,…

When constitutional questions are raised, the means-ends approach turns to the framers of the Constitution not for specific answers, but rather for general guidance as to what the Constitution was intended to accomplish and how constitutional questions can be resolved in a manner consistent with these overall intentions. (RM)

This curriculum project was designed to familiarize high school students with their own constitutional roots while gaining a better understanding of governmental systems developed by other nations. The project uses the U.S. Constitution as a baseline for analyzing the constitutions of other nations, and is intended to supplement courses in such…

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)

A 2- or 3-day activity for middle and high school students, this unit is designed to familiarize students with the concept and reality of tribal governments as they exist today in American Indian tribes. Objectives are to enable students to: (1) become aware that American Indian tribal governments, people, and reservations exist in the United…

This project is designed to help secondary school students prepare for participation in the electoral process as informed citizens. The project has students focus on current events pertaining to the U.S. election process. They study basic government concepts found in the Constitution, such as Separation of Powers, as well as practices that have…

Ideas and information that can enhance education about the constitutional rights of individuals in U.S. history and the current system of government in the United States are included in this book. The resource guide contains nine distinct parts dealing with aspects of learning and teaching about the Bill of Rights in both elementary and secondary…

Profiles the activities of a third-grade class that used role playing to understand the functions and components of the federal government. Describes learning activities simulating (1) representatives of the people, (2) the legislative branch, (3) the judicial branch, (4) the executive branch, (5) political parties, and (6) political campaigns.…