Civics and Economics Student Guide Unit Eight: Civil Liberties in the U.S.

We the People...the Citizen and the Constitution Lessons 28-32

Date Unit Assignments Due

Friday, Jan 5 Due: Read Lesson 28, answer #1-3

In class: religion

Monday, Jan 8 Due: Read Lesson 29, question #1-2

In class: speech and petition

Tuesday, Jan 9 Due: Read Lesson 30, answer #1-2

In class: speech and petition

Wednesday, Jan 10 Due: First Amendment cases (A-D)

In class: a discussion of key First Amendment cases

Thursday, Jan 11 Due: read Lesson 31 and answer questions 1-4

In class: What it means to “consent” to searches

Friday, Jan 12 Due: Read the Wikipedia pages and take notes on the following
three cases: Mapp v. Ohio, New Jersey v. T.L.O., Kyllo v. U.S.
Include (1) the background, (2) the opinion of the Court in the case
In class: 4th Amendment

Tuesday, Jan 16 Due: Read Lesson 32, answer questions 1-3

In class: Procedural Due Process

Wednesday, Jan 17 Review for Test

Thursday, Jan 18 Test: Civil Liberties

READING QUESTIONS
Lesson 28 Questions: You’ll read about the difference between the Establishment and Free Exercise
Clauses—pay close attention to the difference.
1. The establishment clause protects against the establishment of religion. What is an established
religion?
2. Define the establishment clause. Next, identify and describe the three methods of its
interpretation.
3. The free exercise clause protects an individual’s freedom of conscience. After reading page 205
closely, explain the “tests” used by the Supreme Court in deciding cases under the free exercise
clause.

Lesson 29 Questions
1. List the five arguments that favor free speech. Bullet points are fine.
2. Using pages 211-213 as a guide, identify and explain four regulations on free speech.

Lesson 30 Questions
1. How and why have the rights to assemble and petition been important in American history? Give
specific examples.
2. What restrictions have been imposed on the right to assemble, and how have these restrictions
been justified?
FIRST AMENDMENT CASES AND DIRECTIONS
1. Directions:
A. Look up each of the following cases. Use Wikipedia and Oyez.org as guides. Cite your work.
B. Take DETAILED notes on these aspects of each case:
1. Its background and details
2. The Court’s vote and Opinion
2. Cases:
A. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)
B. Brandenberg v. Ohio (1969)
C. Texas v. Johnson (1989)
D. Morse v. Frederick (2007)

Lesson 31 Questions:
1. When is a warrant required? What is probable cause?
2. What is the exclusionary rule? How has the Supreme Court changed the rule since
1961?
3. List and explain what the Court has determined are “reasonable” searches – without a
warrant.
4. What is the Miranda rule? What is the right against self-incrimination?

Lesson 32 Questions:
1. What rights are included in the 6th Amendment? How do these ensure a fair trial?
2. What rights of criminal defendants are protected after the trial? Be specific.
3. What limitations has the Supreme Court placed on states that use the death penalty?