"Update on the Courts," a resource for civic education, helps teach secondary school students about today's important Supreme Court and other judicial decisions, the legal issues involved, and the impact of the decisions on the students' lives. This issue features a lesson on copyright laws, a case overview and lesson on sexual…

This paper assesses efforts undertaken to promote teaching and learning about the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights during the years leading up to and including the bicentennial celebrations of these two documents. The assessment focuses on three specific topics: (1) patterns of content coverage; (2) materials for teachers and students; and…

This textbook on the separation of church and state continues the "Exploring the Constitution Series," which introduces important areas of constitutional law. Intended to serve either as a reference work, a supplement to a standard textbook, or as the textbook for a course, this volume covers the constitutional issues of prayer in public…

This catalog was developed to provide useful information about the many "Teaching Law to the Public" law school-based projects operating around the country in 1993-94. Aimed at law school project staff members, it is a handy reference to other law school programs. The catalog also is intended as a guide for everybody involved in…

Designed to make the U.S. Constitution come alive for students, this guide uses real-life examples taken from the daily newspaper to illustrate the document's day-to-day applications. Activities are presented to familiarize students with the Constitution's content as well as with its continuing impact on U.S. life. Newspaper-related activities are…

A collection of essays on the 10 amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution is presented in commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the ratification of the Bill of Rights. The following essays are included: "The First Amendment and the Virtues of an Open Society" (R. Smolla); "The First Amendment as a…

The 200th anniversary of the Bill of Rights' ratification will be celebrated in 1991. This document discusses the various ways the Commission on the Bicentennial of the Constitution has planned to celebrate this historic anniversary. Four sections are featured: (1) introduction; (2) programs and plans for 1990 and 1991; (3) how you can get…

Law-related education (LRE) seeks to improve the citizenship skills and attitudes of young people by providing them with an understanding of law, the legal process, and the legal and political systems. This brochure describes five national law-related education projects supported by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in the…

The purpose of Law Day is to call the citizenry's attention to the principles and practices of U.S. law and justice. Activities held by community groups and schools to celebrate Law Day include mock trials, debates, essay and poster contests, and films. This guide was developed to assist community groups or classes to participate in the observance…

Designed to acquaint high school students with those areas of the law that they are most likely to come in contact with, this series of 15 lessons can be used in government, citizenship, law, family living, and economics classes. Although originally developed to be used with a television series, the document can be adapted to other uses. Following…

Using the Iran-Contra Affair as an illustration, Shermis describes how civics instruction fails to prepare students for effective participation in U.S. society. Examining five textbooks, he concludes that issues are so condensed and sanitized that there is no opportunity for students to think critically and practice necessary problem-solving…

Presents a brief conceptual background on the First Amendment freedoms and due process. Offers three case studies to help students explore the issue of balancing First Amendment freedoms with the governmental responsibility for the common good. (JDH)

The momentum which pushed law-related education during the past two decades needs revitalization. Curriculum development ventures that involve university professors of the social sciences and secondary school teachers are in order. Recent reports on the subject and course content are discussed. (PP)

We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is an educational program developed by the Center for Civic Education (the Center). The program instructs students on the history and principles of American constitutional democracy with the primary goal of promoting civic competence and responsibility among the nation's elementary, middle, and…

In order for citizens to be capable of fully engaging in civic and political life, they must possess a minimum of civic skills. Civic skills include personal communication skills, knowledge of political systems, and the ability to critically think about civic and political life. Numerous civic skills have been identified theoretically, but only…