Examines the impact of race on 19th century politics and social order. Discusses the denial of voting rights and due process to free Blacks prior to the Civil War and the "unkept promises" of the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Lists books on the 19th century Black experience and identifies significant…

Outlines class activities to help students understand how the U.S. Supreme Court reaches its decisions and how the decisions change over time. Includes objectives, resources, issues and questions, procedures, and evaluations. Suggests that students will learn the facts and issues of important civil rights cases and form opinions on the decisions.…

Interviewed 800 police chiefs asking whether the Bill of Rights prevented police and prosecutors from protecting citizens against crime and found the answer was no. Urges more equitable funding for the criminal justice system, more public defenders for the poor, and teaching about justice in a free society. (NL)

Examines the impact of slavery and racism on the U.S. Constitution at its creation, at its centennial, and now. Explores the way Black U.S. citizens view the Constitution in relation to legitimized slavery. Provides a reading list in Black history and a glossary of civil rights terms. (GEA)

Recommends studying Fannie Lou Hamer's work in the civil rights movement of the 1960s to teach students a greater appreciation of the citizen's role in enforcing constitutional rights. Includes a role-playing activity, discussion questions, and a handout on Hamer. Suggests students will recognize the relationship between the Fourteenth Amendment…

Examines the gains in voting, schooling, and employment made by Blacks in Mississippi since the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Discusses the effects of affirmative action and civil rights litigation, listing resources on "Lawyers and the Civil Rights Movement." Presents a glossary of legal terms. (GEA)

Asserts that, until the middle of this century, there were relatively few laws affecting educator or student rights and responsibilities. Provides an overview of the origins and expansion of federal legislation related to school law since the 1950s. (CFR)

Presents a classroom activity that features a mock hearing on environmental issues before an international court. Asserts that international cooperation is necessary if the world is to avert environmental disaster. Provides role descriptions for the witnesses and step-by-step instructional procedures. (CFR)

Emphasizes the importance of understanding the development of democracy around the world by comparative study of constitutions. Uses the development of the Japanese constitution after World War II as a case study. Describes the work of the team appointed by General Douglas MacArthur and the significance of the clause guaranteeing equal rights for…

Discusses the constitutional protection of individual rights, particularly how they relate to the conduct of law enforcement. Summarizes a number of Supreme Court decisions and the legal precedents they established. Considers the various jurisdictions and duties of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. (MJP)

"Children's Books and Minorities: Focus on the Black Experience" reviews children's literature dealing with prejudice, Black history, the Black experience, and other cultures. "Terra Firma" is a lesson plan for grades five-seven which explores the different perspectives between settlers and American Indians regarding the issue of land. (GEA)

Discusses the origins, progress, and eventual enjoinment of the proposed Colorado Amendment 2, which would have repealed local equal protection for homosexuals. Provides excerpts from three Colorado Supreme Court decisions related to the proposed amendment. Includes a time line for the issue, ranging from 1977-92. (CFR)

Discusses the issue of hate-motivated violence and special laws aimed at deterrence. Presents a secondary school lesson to help students define hate speech and understand constitutional issues related to the topic. Includes three student handouts, student learning objectives, instructional procedures, and a discussion guide. (CFR)

This document consists of three issues of a serial devoted to law-related education (LRE) that offers background information on a wide range of legal issues and teaching strategies for LRE. The title themes for the three issues include: (1) "Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, Petition"; (2) "Law in the New Information Age"; and…

Briefly summarizes the purpose and authority of a number of crime-fighting programs administered through the Office of Justice Programs (OJP). These programs provide federal assistance in preventing and controlling crime and delinquency, and assisting crime victims. Includes a list of federal and state expenditures on crime. (MJP)