Reviews the characteristics and landmark cases of the Warren, and Burger eras of the U.S. Supreme Court. Describes the changes taking place under Chief Justice Rehnquist and assesses the future of the Supreme Court with the addition of Justice Antonin Scalia. Maintains that the trend toward judicial activism will continue. (JDH)

Reviews a collection of decisions rendered by the Burger Court during its waning months. The decisions involve (1) criminal procedures, (2) racial bias in jury selection, (3) search and seizure, and (4) the exclusion of jurors who have reservations about the death penalty. (JDH)

Using three landmark U.S. Supreme Court cases, this lesson teaches students in grades seven through twelve about the benefits and limits of free speech. (JDH)

The relation between the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the provisions of the Bill of Rights or the first 10 Constitutional amendments is discussed. (RM)

When constitutional questions are raised, the means-ends approach turns to the framers of the Constitution not for specific answers, but rather for general guidance as to what the Constitution was intended to accomplish and how constitutional questions can be resolved in a manner consistent with these overall intentions. (RM)

The Supreme Court clearly bases the creation of new rules on its own personal predilections not by the phrases of the Constitution nor in terms of the expressed intentions of those who wrote the Constitution. The court might not be so popular if people knew what it is really doing. (RM)

All fighting does not have the legal and constitutional dimensions of a war. Presented is an activity to help secondary students learn about the constitutional and historical underpinnings involved in the age-old yet still current controversy concerning the war powers vested in the executive and legislative branches of government. (RM)

The relationship between the history of racism and the denial of equal participation for Blacks today is discussed. The implications of the Bakke decision for the constitutionality of race-conscious admissions criteria are examined. It is shown that the government is constitutionally both permitted and required to take affirmative action. (MC)

Focuses on the process of amending the U.S. Constitution and describes Article V in detail. Explores the intent of the framers of the Constitution and provides historical information on the the various amendments. Addresses proposed amendments and the failure to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. Includes questions for discussion. (CMK)

Provides viewpoints on whether the constitutional amendment process needs to be changed or not: (1) "When in Doubt, Do Nothing" (R. B. Bernstein); (2) "Citizens for the Constitution" (Erwin Chemerinsky); (3) "Constitutional Proposals from the States" (John Kincaid); and (4) "I Have a Better Way" (Gregory D.…

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…

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…

Designed to encourage interactive study of the Constitution by humanities scholars and the community, this guide is arranged in four sections. The first section contains a number of ideas for projects and concepts that might spark group interest in constitutional study and descriptions of Constitution-related projects, listed in alphabetical order…

This special issue commemorates the Bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution by featuring high school students' interviews with prominent East Texas judges, political leaders, educators, clergy, businessmen, and a student. Those interviewed include: (1) William W. Justice, Chief Federal District Judge for East Texas; (2) Price Daniel, Governor of…