Book Description

Designed for integration into secondary U.S. history courses, the activities provide a format for the examination of law-related themes and issues. Themes explored include the conflict between individual and societal needs, the relationship of the individual to state and federal authority, individual rights, the shifting balance of power among the three branches of government, the influence of social and economic conditions on judicial decision making, and the U.S. constitution as an instrument of governance. The document is organized into four sections roughly corresponding to the chronological periods in most U.S. history courses: Colonial Period through Revolution, Growth of a New Nation, Civil War through Industrialization, and The Modern Era. Activities, which require critical thinking, reasoning, problem solving, and inquiry skills, include opinion polls/surveys, role plays, simulations, case studies, mock trials, appellate court simulations, adversary models, and learning stations. Many of the activities focus on landmark Supreme Court cases and modern cases to elucidate the meaning and judicial interpretation of the guarantees of the Bill of Rights. Topics include the Salem witch trials, lawful inspection, the Alien and Sedition Acts, the Dred Scott case, Plessy v. Ferguson, the impeachment of Andrew Johnson, the McCarthy era, and Watergate. Each activity includes an introduction, objectives, recommended grade level, time and materials needed, instructions, and masters for student handouts. (KC)