
Elections
- separation of powers
- Thomas Jefferson
- Electoral College
- popular sovereignty
- founders
- federalism
- consent of the governed
- Alexander Hamilton
- John Adams
- Constitution
- Seventeenth Amendment
- equality
- republic
- First Amendment
- Framers
Elections Activity: Constitutional Connection—The Electoral College
Have students read sections of Article II of the Constitution and Federalist No. 68 in Handout A: Constitutional Connection—The Electoral College to understand and analyze the Electoral College.
Elections Activity: Voting Rights and the U.S. Constitution
Have students read Handout B: Background Essay: Voting Rights Amendments and Handout C: The Suffrage Amendments and then discuss the history of voting in the United States and how it affected individual liberty. Then have students read Handout D: Alice Paul and discuss the struggles of the Women’s Suffrage Movement. Finally, as a homework project, have students choose other actors in suffrage movements throughout American history and develop a multi-media presentation.
Elections Activity: Campaign Finance and Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010)
Have students trace the history of campaign finance reform laws and rulings. They should read Handout E: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Background Essay and complete Handout F: Timeline of Campaign Finance Reform Initiatives. Next, have students analyze the Citizens United Supreme Court case opinions in Handout G: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Majority Opinion, Handout H: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Dissenting Opinion, and Handout I: Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) Concurring Opinion. Finally, students should use Handout J: Evaluation of Citizens United v. F.E.C. (2010) to evaluate the opinions and explain their own opinions relating to the case.
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