The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in a discussion of the Constitutional Convention. Students will explore the key disputes that arose during the convention, including most prominently how power would be divided between the federal and state governments and the various branches of government. Furthermore, students with understand the importance of compromise during the Constitutional Convention.
Grade 6-8 Give and Take to Create a Constitution
The purpose of this lesson is to engage students in a discussion of the Constitutional Convention. Students will explore the key disputes that arose during the Convention, including most prominently how power would be divided between the federal and state governments and the various branches of government. They will synthesize various sources explored debate and compromise and the Convention to understand the idea of civic discourse in the United States.
Grade 9-12 Civilian Leadership & the Military: The history and importance of a civilian-led military in America
The purpose of this lesson to assist student understanding of why the American Constitution places ultimate authority of the military in the hands of civilians rather than military leaders. Students should appreciate the historical uniqueness of the American military as an extension of constitutional principles in which the people always have the last word.
One School’s Fight: The Making of a Law
This documentary tells the story of a tiny school in Yosemite National Park that tries to solve its funding problem by getting a bill passed in Congress and, in the process, learns many lessons about how federal laws are made.
Anti-Federalism and Dissent in Constitutional History
Saul Cornell, from Fordham University, and James Basker, the president of the Gilder Lehrman Institute, discuss anti-federalism and dissent in constitutional history. Anti-federalists were advocates against the ratification of the Constitution.
Reconstruction and Citizenship
Historian Eric Foner, of Columbia University, discusses the major changes in citizenship during and after the Civil War, particularly for African Americans.
The Slaughterhouse Cases
Larry Kramer, former Dean of Stanford Law School and constitutional scholar, discusses the Slaughterhouse cases, and the rights of the federal government to legislate or control the states.
American Legal History: Colonial Era to 1800
Larry Kramer, former Dean of Stanford Law School and constitutional scholar, discusses American legal history, beginning with Marbury v. Madison.
The U.S. Constitution and the Concept of Originalism
Pulitzer Prize winning historian Jack Rakove of Stanford discusses the U.S. Constitution and the concept of originalism, or how true we should constrain ourselves to the original meaning of the Constitution.
Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory and Identity in Black America Since 1940
James Basker & Johnathan Holloway discuss the novel written by Mr. Holloway, Jim Crow Wisdom: Memory & Identity in Black America Since 1940.