Presents a concise overview of the responsibilities, membership, structure, and requirements of the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Created in 1974, the FEC oversees the financial activities of candidates and political parties. Discusses corporate and union political action committees (PACs) as well as contribution limits and prohibitions. (MJP)

Examines the controversies and consequences involved in drawing proper districts for federal and state representatives. Discusses the Supreme Court's role in deciding these questions. Provides definitions and related court cases concerning gerrymandering and malapportionment, the two most common abuses of the districting process. (MJP)

This serial issue concerns itself with several conflicts between individual rights and allegedly wrongful acts that the Supreme Court has not considered previously. The articles on these topics illuminate the constitutional issues of equal protection, due process, and freedom of expression. Specific issues addressed include: (1) equal educational…

This guide is to help lawyers and law students work with young students and classroom teachers to integrate lessons on the Bill of Rights into the regular classroom program. Suggestions are given on adapting the lessons for learning disabled, hearing impaired, and gifted students. Lesson plans contain objectives, key concepts and vocabulary, notes…

A 4-day simulation activity encourages high school students to confront issues of law and journalism through exploration of seven legal issues: prior restraint, access to courts, rights of reply, libel, privacy, confidential sources, and use of stolen documents. The kit contains all materials needed for the simulation, including a director's…

Designed for use in secondary school social studies classes, this guide provides activities for helping students understand some of the fundamental principles of government as well as its structure, politics, and effects on the individual. Information, articles, and cartoons from the Austin-American Statesman form the basis of the readings, along…

Intended to educate youth and parents about the rights and responsibilities of youth in society, this manual outlines the prevailing rules as well as U.S. and Illinois laws applying to youth. Separated into four categories, the manual explores the relationship of youth to society, youth to family, social controls on youth, and the rights and…

Designed to help make the Bill of Rights a living document, the student text (user's guide) describes the history of each right in the Bill of Rights and explains how the Supreme Court has interpreted those rights throughout history. The units trace the history of the Bill of Rights, describe and analyze the first ten amendments, and explain the…

Reviews a fascinating lesson plan designed to acquaint students with the methods and devices used to deny blacks the right to vote in the pre-Civil Rights era south. Students take the same test that Alabama required of resident blacks to vote. Includes a copy of the exceptionally difficult test. (MJP)

Provides a model National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) essay examination that teachers may use to evaluate higher-order thinking among social studies high school students. Presents a constitutional issue for students to argue positions. Reports examination results from 51 classrooms. Includes essay examples and scoring rationale.…

Outlines projects organized by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council to celebrate the Bill of Rights bicentennial. Concentrates on a poster exhibit consisting of 12 panels depicting civil rights with accompanying essays. Stresses promoting the Bill of Rights' relevance to students' lives and the humanities role in teaching lessons from history and…

Offers suggestions for teaching the concept of constitutional government. Differentiates constitutional governments from autocratic systems. Includes a handout containing excerpts from a model constitution. Involves students in comparisons of this model to the U.S. Constitution and discussions about clauses in the model. Reveals at the lesson's…

This document consists of a study unit and an accompanying teacher's guide prepared to assist teachers and community groups in discussing some of the legal and constitutional issues raised by the verdict in the Rodney King beating case. The study unit's first section, "Trial and Verdict," examines such issues as the public perceptions of…

The elective unit on Constitutional Law is intended for 11th and 12th grade students. The unit is designed around major course goals which are to develop those concepts whereby students recognize and understand the following three topic areas: 1) Role of the Federal Judicial Branch of Government, 2) Supreme Court Cases Involving the Three Branches…

Outlines the dramatic changes in the laws covering drug activity over the last 20 years. Federal sentencing guidelines now mandate much longer prison terms depending on the drug and type of activity. Simultaneously, courts have expanded legal definitions and approaches involving prosecution. Discusses the controversy over these developments. (MJP)