This book of essays connects controversies over rights and liberties today to their historical antecedents while explaining how social, political, and cultural changes have influenced understandings of specific provisions of the Bill of Rights. Written for teachers using a collaborative effort, each essay is accompanied by bibliographic information about readily accessible scholarship and a descriptive summary of leading court cases relevant to the subject. Topics covered include religion, speech, press, right to bear arms, due process, property rights, privacy rights, women and the Bill of Rights and the Constitution. The appendix includes the Constitution, a glossary, and a list of relevant court cases. (RJC)