Test Driving the Bill of Rights Civil Liberties Project The Framers of

Test Driving the Bill of Rights Civil Liberties Project

The Framers of the Constitution left off any provision to safeguard individuals from potential abuses by the new and improved national government under the Constitution. In order to get the Constitution ratified by the states, it was necessary to include a package of amendments that promised to safeguard certain civil liberties. The states ratified ten of the proposed twelve amendments as a package deal. Rather than call the package the Bill of Liberties, they instead called them the Bill of Rights

As a class community we will explore what the Bill of Rights means in real life and real situations. We will accomplish this goal by everyone researching particular amendment in the Bill of Rights and sharing their findings.

This project will involve three milestones. While students will do most of the work as independent research, there will also be interaction with classmates.

Here are the milestones:

Milestone One: Discussion in which everyone will

Sign up for a listed topic in the dedicated discussion as their initial post

Help two or more classmates get started with their research by finding and offering them at least one landmark court case for their chosen topic in the reply posts.

Milestone Two: First Draft of Research Paper submitted through Blackboard

Required Elements are grading are listed on the grading rubric. They include:

Using at least four scholarly sources that instruct about certain landmark court cases and rulings

Format is APA. If you need help with APA, consult the MATC Writing Center or visit the free website Purdue OWL

Researching landmark cases and rulings that instruct students on issues surrounding the chosen amendment in such a way as to learn the limits on both individuals and government

Synthesizing the material learned in the research to explain what that amendment means in real life, where the courts have drawn the boundaries of what is and is not constitutionally protected.

Writing an original research paper in the student’s own, original words that explains the depth, breadth and complexity of the amendment by summarizing at least four cases, their issues and the rulings. The work will also share the student’s synthesis of the material in a fact-supported conclusion.

Milestone Three details are on the next page

Milestone Three: Has two parts: a Power Point slide show posted for the class as well as the final version of the research paper.

Power Point requirements are listed on the separate rubric, yet include:

Length of between seven and ten slides total, including

Title Slide with name of amendment and student

Five to eight slides conveying landmark cases and what they tach us about the amendment

Uses scholarly, appropriate wording throughout

Employs appropriate Power Point form of using few key words rather than long sentences

Blank slide at the end

Final Version of the Research Paper uses the same rubric as the first draft. Student is expected to read and make good use of feedback received on the first draft to make needed revisions and improvements for the most successful paper possible