In conjunction with the United States Constitution's Bicentennial, this issue is devoted to the contributions the Constitution has made in shaping the U.S. economic system. The main article, "The Economics of the Constitution," provides important insights on how the Constitution influences the economic system through answers to the…

This supplement to the "Bicentennial of the Constitution" highlights the process of the U.S. Constitution's ratification. Chapter 1 provides a chronology of national ratification history dates, a list of state ratification dates, and a list of the individual states' bicentennial ratification commemoration dates. Chapter 2 describes…

This issue provides classroom activities, information on the U.S. Constitution and the Constitutional Convention, and a summary of materials available to teachers for instruction about the U.S. Constitution. Jean Fritz's book, "Shh! We're Writing the Constitution," is an example of the books on the annotated list of suggested readings.…

Stating that students should learn more about the U.S. Constitution than superficial details, Vile advocates the teaching of 12 basic constitutional principles that are essential to the nature and success of the U.S. government. These principles include the rule of law, individual rights, and the dangers of concentrated power. (GEA)

Discusses the changes in American thinking and tolerance between the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and the writing of the Constitution. Concludes that the right to pursue happiness allows everyone to personally define happiness. The government that secures that right will leave people alone to do as they wish. (PS)

Questions whether the American constitutional order is capable of accommodating an equal citizenship for Blacks. Maintains that the inequality of condition that Black Americans endure is rooted in social as much as in legal practice. Improving the situation requires individual accountability on the part of Blacks. (PS)

Provides a two-to-four period lesson plan designed to help students in grades 7 through 12 explore the power of the U.S. President to use military forces. Based on the 1964 Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and the legislation which it spurred, the lesson includes teaching procedures, discussion questions, and student readings. (JDH)

Efforts to strengthen instruction in U.S. history and government resulted in the development of "Lessons on the Constitution," a book containing 62 lessons for use with high school students. The curriculum development process used in writing the book is described, and the objectives, format, and content of the lessons are discussed. (RM)

Focusing on the history and principles of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights, the high school text and teacher's guide are intended to be the basis of study for the competitive component of the "We the People... The Citizen and the Constitution" civic education program. The 40 lessons in the text are divided into 6 study units…

Explores the content and history of the last three constitutional amendments: (1) presidential succession and disability (the Twenty-fifth amendment); (2) voting rights for young people (the Twenty-sixth amendment); and (3) congressional pay raises (the Twenty-seventh amendment). Includes questions for discussion. (CMK)

The phrase "excluding Indians not taxed" appears in both Article I and the Fourteenth Amendment of the US Constitution. This essay examines the phrases "excluding Indians not taxed" and "subject to the jurisdiction" of sections 1 and 2 of the Fourteenth Amendment as they apply to Indians. This essay, through analysis…

This report examines the portrayal of the Second Amendment of the Constitution (the right to keep and bear arms) in U.S. history and U.S. government textbooks. The document contends that not only were there numerous errors and misrepresentations of facts, but also there were many omissions of various events throughout history. Further research…

Designed to work with and be integrated into the existing curriculum, this learning packet contains activities that encourage discussion and critical thinking by students about the U.S. Constitution. The first activity teaches fundamental principles of government while the second asks students to explain how the Constitution was written through…

The necessity for candidates for public office to gather money in order to mount effective campaigns has raised concerns that campaign contributions may give some individuals and groups improper influence on the selection of public officials and the making of public policy. Part of this concern stems from the pluralist theory that maintains that…

Each issue in this bicentennial series features articles on selected U.S. Constitution topics, along with a section on primary documents and lesson plans or class activities. Issue 14 features: (1) "The Political Economy of the Constitution" (K. Dolbeare; L. Medcalf); (2) "A 'New Historical Whooper': Creating the Art of the…