Constitutional Law

I took the concept of this course from two excellent teachers at a sister school of ours. They have taught versions of his course for many years. I have now taught it twice and the students love it! Although Con Law may sound daunting it is well worth the effort and investment to study these cases in whole or in part with your students.

Know Your Rights!

Overview:

tudents in this class examine several constitutional questions (e.g. Can the Air Force tell its members that they can't wear a cross or a yarmulke or dreadlocks? Can you burn an American flag as a form of protest? Can you deliver a speech at a school assembly with crude language?) by reading Supreme Court cases, by talking to lawyers and other legal experts and by arguing about the cases in class. All students will be expected to function as lawyers (writing briefs and arguing cases) and judges (asking oral argument questions and writing opinions) during class. Alignment Common Core Standards:

Reading – 12.RT.1; 12.RT.2; 12.RT.4; 12.RT.6; 12.RT.9; 11-12.RH.6; 11-12.RH.8

Writing – 12.W.1; 12.W.4; 12.W.5; 12.W.8; 12.W.9; 11-12.WHST.1; 11-12.WHST.4; 11-12. WHST.10

Speaking and Listening –12.SL.1; 12.SL.2; 12.SL.4; 12.S.6;

Language – 12.L.1; 12.L.2; 12.L.3; 12.L.4; 12.L.6

Essential Question(s):

1. How does the United States Constitution work with regards to Constitutional Law?

2. How does the United States court system protect the rights of individuals?

3. What constitutes speech according to the constitution?

4. Are there limits to free speech in schools according to the US Constitution?

5. Are there limits to exercising freedom of religion according to the US Constitution?

6. Are there limits to free speech according to the US Constitution?

Course Outline:

Unit One: 1st Amendment

Are there limits to free speech in schools according to the US Constitution?

Unit Two: 1st Amendment

Are there limits to free speech according to the US Constitution?

Unit Three: 1st Amendment

Are there limits to exercising freedom of religion according to the US Constitution?

Unit Four: 4th Amendment

Are there limits to how an authority can search or seize private property according to the US Constitution?

Unit Five: 8th Amendment

Is the death penalty for juveniles considered “cruel and unusual punishment”?