Week Four: Civil Liberties, Civil Rights, and Civil Life

The Essential Question for this week is:
Do you know your rights and responsibilities as a U.S. citizen?

The Georgia Performance Standards that you'll work with this week are:

SSCG6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights.
a. Examine the Bill of Rights with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms.
b. Analyze due process law expressed in the 5th and 14th Amendments.
c. Explain selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights.
d. Explain how government seeks to maintain the balance between individual
liberties and the public interest.
e. Explain every citizen’s right to be treated equally under the law.


SSCG7 The student will describe how thoughtful and effective participation in
civic life is characterized by obeying the law, paying taxes, serving on a jury, participating in the political process, performing public service, registering for military duty, being informed about current issues, and respecting differing opinions.


The assignments for this unit are listed below. Please be sure to follow all instructions for completing assignments and receiving the maximum points possible.

Week Four Assignment 1: Constitutional Amendments that Protect Civil Liberties
SCCG 6, elements a, b, c, d, e
- Using the Constitutional Amendments that Protect Civil Liberties power point, complete the Constitutional Amendments that Protect Civil Liberties Student Notes that examine the Bill of Rights with emphasis on First Amendment freedoms, analyze due process law expressed in the 5th and 14th Amendments, and explain selective incorporation of the Bill of Rights.


* Complete the notes and answer each question thoroughly. Place in teacher's drop box when notes are completed. *30 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 2: Freedom of Speech Case Study

SSCG6 Elements a, b

In this assignment you will read about a case that discusses whether or not First Amendment rights of free speech extend to symbolic speech by students in public schools. And, if so, in what circumstances is that symbolic speech protected?

* Follow all instructions in the document Freedom of Speech Case Study for completing this assignment. Place in teacher's drop box when completed. *16 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 3: Know Your 4^th Amendment Rights Case Study

SSCG6 elements a, d, e

In this assignment you will read about the different types of police searches and how they reflect your 4^th Amendment rights.

* Follow all instructions in the document Know Your 4th Amendment Rights Case Study for completing this assignment. Place in teacher's drop box when completed. *15 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 4: Life Sentences for Minors Case Study

SSCG6 elements a, d

In this assignment you will analyze opposing arguments about whether or not sentencing minors to life sentences is “cruel and unusual punishment”.

* Follow all instructions in the document Life Sentences for Minors Case Study for completing this assignment. Place in teacher's drop box when completed. *10 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 5: American Civil Liberties Union Research and Discussion
SSCG6 a,b,c,d,e

This assignment will involve researching and discussing an issue or topic that the ACLU has highlighted as something that needs to be addressed to preserve the individual rights that are guaranteed in the constitution.

*Please follow all instructions and expectations found in the American Civil Liberties Union Research and Discussion document. * Place your finished paper in your teacher's drop box when completed. *40 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 6: Participating in Civic Life-Are You a Good Citizen?

SSCG7

There are certain duties that the U.S. government requests of its citizens. They are called civic duties. In this assignment you will complete a chart b to see where you stand in your willingness to participate in civic life.

*Please follow all instructions and expectations found in the Participating in Civic Life- Are You a Good Citizen? document. * Place your finished work in your teacher's drop box when completed. *20 possible points.

Week Four Assignment 7: Week Four Quiz
SCCG 6
SCCG7

After you have completed the first six assignments and turned them in to your teacher, take the Week Four quiz to check for understanding of standards you worked with in week four. You will need to get the quiz from your teacher.

* 20 possible points.