The U.S. Constitution grants the President the power to appoint people to …
The U.S. Constitution grants the President the power to appoint people to a variety of government positions. These appointments require careful thought and consideration since the people can have a great impact on the lives of many Americans during that President’s term. Some appointments need even greater thought and consideration, and those are to the federal judicial system and more importantly, to the Supreme Court of the United States. Justices of the Supreme Court (and other federal courts) serve lifetime appointments. Their rulings as they interpret the Constitution, and other situations as outlined in Article III of the Constitution, can have far-reaching effects for generations. With this awesome power to appoint comes an equally awesome responsibility to make sure that the individuals are the best people for the job. In this lesson, students will examine the appointment of Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who was also the first female Justice. Students will examine the process by which a President makes the selection and the steps that lead to that person being confirmed by the Senate (or not).
There's a complaint we get pretty often around here, that our tagline …
There's a complaint we get pretty often around here, that our tagline contains the word "democracy," but the United States is *actually* a republic. So...do we need to make a change? We dig into that question and a whole lot more on this episode.
This assignment introduces students to commonly used datasets in ethnic conflict studies. …
This assignment introduces students to commonly used datasets in ethnic conflict studies. It also encourages them to think critically about data quality and measurement challenges when using large datasets.
In this lesson, students analyze a daring challenge to the legal and …
In this lesson, students analyze a daring challenge to the legal and social order of the time: Susan B. Anthony’s casting of an illegal ballot in the 1872 presidential election. Anthony was ultimately put on trial, convicted, and fined $100 for her “crime.” In this lesson, students close read an excerpt from Anthony’s speech Is It a Crime for Women to Vote? in which Anthony defended her actions. The speech, written prior to Anthony’s trial in 1873, contains many themes that resonate with contemporary debates about membership in American society. At a time when voter suppression, gerrymandering, and election interference dominate the headlines, this lesson prompts students to draw connections between the past and present, especially around acts of civil disobedience, the role of voting in a democracy, and the meaning of equality.
One of the most persistent and overarching complaints the American colonists had …
One of the most persistent and overarching complaints the American colonists had about the rule of the British monarchy was the extent of its power. One of the most persistent and overarching complaints about the early government of the U.S. under the Articles of Confederation was the weakness of the federal government. Attempting to form a more perfect union, the framers of the Constitution designed a government that clearly assigned power to three branches, while at the same time guaranteeing that the power of any branch could be checked by another. Using primary source documents, your students can see clear demonstrations of how one branch of our government can check another. What are some ways the three branches of our government check one another? Name the three branches of our government. Give examples of how each branch can check the others.
Complaining about something is easy, but can you do something about it? …
Complaining about something is easy, but can you do something about it? In this read aloud lesson, students will explore how a complaint can move to action.
This unit introduces students to the purpose and practice of media literacy. …
This unit introduces students to the purpose and practice of media literacy. It includes pre- and post-visit activities designed to bracket the Believe It or Not? ED Class ( The activities also can be done independent of a visit to the Newseum.) Students will come to understand why not all information is trustworthy and how to differentiate the good from the bad. They practice using a set of tools – the consumer’s questions – to deconstruct and evaluate information sources.
Charles Francis, president of the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., talks about …
Charles Francis, president of the Mattachine Society of Washington, D.C., talks about the life of Lilli Vincenz and her contributions to the gay rights movement.
Responding to questions from Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson …
Responding to questions from Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson discusses the 4th Amendment's provisions for privacy and for unreasonable searches and seizures during her confirmation hearing to be a Supreme Court justice.
This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young …
This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young citizens around the ages of 4-8. Articles include information about the following topics: 1. Branches of Government 2. How Laws are Made 3. Symbols, Songs, and Structures 4. The Election Process 5. Historical Documents 6. Federal vs. State Government 7. Federally Recognized Tribes
This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young …
This website provides brief informational articles about the US government for young citizens between the ages of 9-13. Articles include information about the following topics: 1. Branches of Government 2. How Laws are Made 3. Symbols, Songs, and Structures 4. The Election Process 5. Historical Documents 6. Federal vs. State Government 7. Federally Recognized Tribes
This course explores the physical, ecological, technological, political, economic, and cultural implications …
This course explores the physical, ecological, technological, political, economic, and cultural implications of big plans and mega-urban landscapes in a global context. It uses local and international case studies to understand the process of making major changes to urban landscape and city fabric, and to regional landscape systems. It includes lectures by leading practitioners. The assignments consider planning and design strategies across multiple scales and time frames.
The Blackwell Family Papers span the years 1759-1960, with the bulk of …
The Blackwell Family Papers span the years 1759-1960, with the bulk of the material dating from 1845 to 1890. Consisting of approximately 29,000 items (58,002 images), most of which were digitized from 76 reels of microfilm, the collection predominantly represents two generations of the Blackwell family and twenty individual family members. Nearly two centuries of the family’s daily lives are documented in correspondence, diaries, speeches, and other papers, exemplifying the family’s long commitment to social reform movements, such as abolition; women’s rights, including the right to equal education; women’s suffrage; and temperance.
Access world-class Political Science content based on college intro-level Political Science content. …
Access world-class Political Science content based on college intro-level Political Science content. Boundless Political Science readings, quizzes, and PowerPoints ae free to edit, share, and use in your class.Includes chapters on American Politics, The Constitution, Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, Public Opinion, Interest Groups, Campaigns and Elections, Voting, Branches of Government, and Policy.
Game where students control each branch of government. Students will introduce a …
Game where students control each branch of government. Students will introduce a presidential agenda, craft laws in Congress, and review legal challenges to laws. This includes an extension pack for teachers to assign to students.
Students are given the background and facts of the Brown v. Board …
Students are given the background and facts of the Brown v. Board of Education case along with precedents. Their task is to sort through the arguments of the case and classify each as an argument for Brown or for the Board of Education.
Undergraduate student project for building datasets and analyzing the electoral, party system, …
Undergraduate student project for building datasets and analyzing the electoral, party system, and mass behavioral characteristics for a set of countries.
This lesson looks at Bush v. Gore, the U.S. Supreme Court case …
This lesson looks at Bush v. Gore, the U.S. Supreme Court case that decided the 2000 election. First, students read about and discuss the Supreme Court case of Bush v. Gore. Then in small groups, students role play Supreme Court justices and apply Bush v. Gore to hypothetical election cases.
The Council on Foreign Relation's (CFR) "Deforestation in the Amazon" InfoGuide provides …
The Council on Foreign Relation's (CFR) "Deforestation in the Amazon" InfoGuide provides a compelling look at the causes and consequences of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon and is available online in English and Portuguese. CFR InfoGuides are a multimedia series to promote understanding of complex foreign policy issues.
What is “fake news,” how does it affect our trust in media, …
What is “fake news,” how does it affect our trust in media, and our perception of issues relevant to our daily lives? While fake news is not a new phenomenon, recent events have heightened awareness of the prevalence of questionable media sources, leaving consumers to evaluate the veracity of information that is presented. The deluge of information available in print, televised, and online media sources, including sites such as Twitter and Facebook, has also increased the level of critical analysis media consumers must use to evaluate those sources. This deliberation will analyze the effect of fake news on traditional media outlets, the reasons and incentives for purveyors of “fake news,” and provide students with resources to strengthen their media literacy skills.
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