"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…

States that the proper business of social studies is civic education and contends that civic education must take into account the way in which global connections and uncertainties will affect citizenship in the Constitution's third century. Cites the problems associated with AIDS and the Iran-Contra affair as examples. (JDH)

Explores the differences between the U.S. Constitution and British constitutional law. Specifically examines the concept of the U.S. Bill of Rights in relation to the United Kingdom common law doctrine of parliamentary sovereignty. (BSR)

The history of the United States Constitution is outlined in this account of the 1787 Constitutional Convention. The document is grouped according to 12 topical headings, which follow a brief account of the participation of George Washington and James Madison. Section 1 deals with the conceptualization and development of the Articles of…

Reviews recent decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court. The decisions involve student rights, the Gramm-Rudman budget law, homosexuals' right to privacy, the regulation of state primary elections, pregnancy and employment policy, Miranda Rights, and the legality of certain police searches. (JDH)

The "great national discussion" of 1787 involved deliberations, writings, debates, and speeches concerning the newly created U.S. Constitution. Both the framers and the critics of the Constitution utilized philosophies of: (1) republicanism; (2) Lockean liberalism; (3) work-ethic Protestantism; and (4) state-centered theories of power…

Presents a lesson plan using "Decision at Richmond," a play dramatizing the debate over United States Constitutional ratification, to demonstrate to students the importance of the unique process used to make political decisions in the United States. (Author/AEM)

Examines four recent Supreme Court decisions. The decisions involve Miranda rights, alleged Fourth Amendment violations (good faith exception and vehicle searches), and the right to confront witnesses. (BSR)

Maintains that there were three forces operating in colonial American culture which led to the drafting of the Constitution. These were: English law and tradition, the lifestyle of the colonies, and the Enlightenment. Provides examples of how these forces were expressed in the events surrounding the birth of the United States Constitution. (JDH)

Examines the work of the framers of the U.S. Constitution in their efforts to improve upon the Articles of Confederation and yet limit the power of unbridled government. (JDH)

Describes a lesson which relates the U.S. Constitution and state and federal actions to the everyday lives of high school students. Students use a time line of a person's life events in order to identify the points at which the state or federal government intervenes. The authority for this intervention is then sought in the U.S. Constitution. (JDH)

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)

Surveys the debate over how the United States Constitution is to be regarded for purposes of judicial interpretation in federal court cases. Focuses on the views of U.S. Attorney General Edwin Meese, Ronald Dworkin, and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. Discusses the underlying values of original intent and its opposite, judicial activism.…

Explores the founding of the United States in terms of its theoretical and political perspectives. Identifies and discusses leading characteristics of thought that focus on the framing and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Examines the meaning of "liberty under law." (LS)

This collection of essays is intended for both the general reader and the specialist and is designed to provide the basic elements needed for an introductory survey and a reference aid to the role of New York State in the adoption of the federal Constitution. The collection is organized into five sections: theory, history, materials, people and…