Here's a gift that will keep on giving! Giving you more knowledge, and extra credit, that is.
Complete one, or both of the essays below. Make sure that your essay is neatly handwritten, or computer printed, and you enclose the attached rubric.
Option #1
Theme: Diversity (Constitutional Rights)
Throughout United States history, Supreme Court decisions have addressed the
issue of the constitutional rights of various groups. These decisions have limited
or expanded the rights of members of these groups.
Task:
Identify two Supreme Court cases related to the rights of specific groups and for
each
• Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the case
• Explain the Supreme Court’s decision in the case
• Discuss how the Supreme Court decision limited or expanded the
constitutional rights of members of this group
You may use any Supreme Court case from your study of United States history in which
the Supreme Court addressed the issue of the constitutional rights of various groups. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include Worcester v. Georgia (1832), Dred Scott v.
Sanford (1857), Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Korematsu v. United States (1944), Brown v. Board
of Education of Topeka (1954), Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964), and Roe v. Wade
(1973).
Option #2:
Theme: Change — Constitutional Amendments
When the Founding Fathers wrote the United States Constitution, they included
the amendment process. The amendments that have been passed brought
political, social, and economic changes to American society.
Task:
Select two constitutional amendments that have changed American society and
for each
• Describe the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the
amendment
• Discuss the political, social, and/or economic changes the amendment brought
to American society
You may use any constitutional amendments that have changed American society. Some
suggestions you might wish to consider include the 13th amendment (abolition of slavery, 1865),
17th amendment (direct election of senators, 1913), 18th amendment (Prohibition, 1919),
19th amendment (woman’s suffrage, 1920), 22nd amendment (presidential term limits, 1951),
24th amendment (elimination of the poll tax, 1964), and 26th amendment (suffrage for
18-year-old citizens, 1971).
