IV. Power to the People
A. Civil Liberties
IN CLASS: The Bill of Rights
READ one of the following sections of the Bill of Rights: Amendments 1-3, 206, and 7-10. Also read Amendment 14, section 1.
What rights are guaranteed?
Why did the founders deem them necessary for democracy?
Assignment 1: (Due 2/21) Current Event on Civil Liberties. Find a current event article dealing with some aspect of civil liberties (First Amendment, rights of the accused, privacy, death penalty, warrants, etc.). Summarize the article in writing and be prepared to present it to the class.
1. Free Speech
Assignment 2: (Due 2/21) READ in WTP, Chap. 4, pp. 121-125 and 130-138. ANSWER the following questions in your own words:
- What were the reasons for the creation of the Bill of Rights?
- How did the 14th Amendment affect the scope of the Bill of Rights?
- Why are free speech cases decided under “strict scrutiny”?
- Explain the “clear and present danger” standard for limiting political speech.
- What kinds of activities besides actual speech are protected as speech?
- At what point does speech loose protection? Give at least 3 examples
IN CLASS: Free Speech at School!? (See attached sheet)
Assignment 3: (Due 2/27) Civil Liberties Simulation. Go to www.wwnorton.com/wtp5e. On the left side of the page, under “Chapter Selection Standard and Short Editions,” choose “4. Civil Liberties.” Click on “chapter simulation.” After you do the simulation, write a paragraph on what decision you made and why. Explain which arguments you found persuasive, and which you did not find persuasive and why. To be collected, 20 points.
IN CLASS: Skokie.
2. Separation of Church and State
IN CLASS: READ attached article “The Way We Live Now.” What is the controversy involving Ben Gamla and Khalil Gibran? Do you agree with Feldman’s take on the issue?
3. Second Amendment
Assignment 4: (Due 2/29) READ in WTP pp. 138-9 and attached article “A Militia of One.”
- List the key questions concerning the interpretation of the Second Amendment.
- What are the ramifications of these questions for public policy on gun control?
4. Death Penalty
Assignment 5: (Due 3/5) Read the 3 articles on the Death Penalty. Make notes on the following:
1. Three different grounds for objecting to the death penalty:
2. Grounds for supporting the death penalty:
3. Constitutional concerns about lethal injection:
4. Should there be a requirement that executions be “humane” or as painless as possible? Why do we have such a standard now?
5. Do you agree with the American Medical Association’s not allowing doctors to participate in executions?
5. Habeas Corpus
IN CLASS: READ “For Justices, Another Day on Detainees.” Chart out the arguments for and against habeas corpus rights for “enemy combatants” in the War on Terror.
FOR HOMEWORK: (Due 3/10) Write 1-2 pages explaining your view on the following question: “Is it Constitutional for detainees in Guantanimo to be denied a right to habeas corpus?”
IN CLASS: Civil Liberties Symposium. (See attached sheet).
