This website provides a nice overview of the five common sources of American law (common law, statutory law, administrative law, court rules, and constitutional law.

September 17 is recognized in the United States as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The purpose of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day is to commemorate the creation and signing of the supreme law of the land and to honor and...

This site contains excerpts from public law review articles relating to the issues of freedom of speech and workplace harassment.

Ben's Guide is a fun way to present US laws to school aged children. This site presents a thorough investigation into ways to amend the Constitution. Links to related sites are available.

The complete text of the 85 Federalist Papers which explained why the authors believed the new Constitution should be ratified.

In this lesson, students examine primary source materials including the Book of Laws, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the Magna Carta in order to understand their meaning and to compare them. They then prepare an argument on...

The issue of slavery was a contentious one during debates in the Constitutional Convention. Read about the various issues, the quotes of several of the delegates, and see how the word "slave" is not even mentioned in the Constitution....

Understand the evolution of the law of war dating back to Mesopotamia in 3100 B.C. Recognize what justifies war.

Articles on technology and access to the law. The author discusses some innovative features of the Code from a legal standpoint, such as the number index system and the stele used to inscribe the laws.

The major focus of this site is Randolph's role in the creation of the Constitution and his views on the structure of the executive branch of government.

The Jungle dives into the terrible working conditions in the meat-packing industry which led to investigations and new food safety laws.

Lesson in economics and democracy in which students study and analyze Adam Smith's concept of free market mercantilism and determine how it would apply to government interventions today. Includes text, questions for study, resources for...

A complete transcript of James McHenry's account of the Constitutional Convention on May 14, 1787. McHenry discusses the Virginia Plan.

Learning module on American Government prepares students to take the Ohio state tests in Social Studies on topics including Laws, U.S. Constitution, Rights and Responsibilities, Framework of Government, and Separation of Powers. Includes...

Explore the history of foreign policy in the United States from the nineteenth century through to the present. Identify what values and principles have helped its formation over the years. Includes discussion questions.

The Dirksen Congressional Center provides abundant lesson plans on all aspects of the US Congress and the US Constitution. All lessons contain time frames, objectives, and links to material, and are built around Bloom's taxonomy.

When is the freedom of the press more important than classified foreign policy information? The Pentagon Papers Trial attempts to answer this constitutional quandary. Included in this site is a summary of the trial, the actual Pentagon...

A transcript of the actual handwritten notes taken by Rufus King (delegate from Massachusetts) at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

Learn about this landmark Supreme Court case on the issue of racial discrimination . Provides an image of a document from the case files and a transcript of the opinion delivered in 1896 by Justice Henry Brown "which sustained the...

One of the historical events that led to the creation of the limited government of the United States, the Magna Carta was written in 1215 as a promise from King John of England to his demanding barons. It put English kings under the rule...

This lesson plan from the Center for Civic Education encourages both teachers and students to learn more about George Washington's contribution to American Constitutionalism and Citizenship.

Read the text of the Supreme Court decision, Cohens v. Virginia, which was limited states' rights.

In this interactive lesson plan, young scholars explore the extent to which society (and they themselves) may discriminate based on factors they're not even aware of, implicit biases. Why haven't laws been enough to eliminate...

"They're putting on witnesses who they know are lying. They concealed exonerating evidence. Don't we have enough criminal conduct by the prosecutors to put them behind bars?" "It doesn't work that way," the lawyer laughed. "The law is...