1. UNIT II – Constitution and Rights

2. DISCUSSION QUESTIONS  What is a right?  What is a freedom?  Are all rights guaranteed to you also considered to be freedoms?

3. WHAT FREEDOMS DO YOU HAVE?

4. 1 ST AMENDMENT  “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”  Who is Congress?  What does the term “abridging” refer to in this text?  What does the phrase “redress of grievances” refer to in this text?  What are the 5 freedoms given in the 1 st Amendment?

5. FREEDOM OF RELIGION  2 important clauses (statements) Establishment Clause – government cannot establish an official religion that everyone has to follow Free Exercise Clause – government cannot prohibit your practicing of the religion of your choice

6. FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY  What is an assembly? A group of people gathered together for a common purpose  Government cannot prohibit the right of the people to PEACABLY assemble

7. FREEDOM OF PETITION  What is a petition? a formal written request, typically one signed by many people, given to a person of authority for a particular cause  Government cannot prohibit individuals from petitioning their grievances

8. FREEDOM OF PRESS  What is press? The publication of information through the media – newspapers, magazines, TV, etc.  Government cannot prohibit individuals publishing information, including their opinions and beliefs

9. FREEDOM OF SPEECH  What is speech? The expression of one’s thoughts or feelings  What forms does speech come in? Vocal Symbolic – art, clothing, actions  Government cannot make a law that completely takes away your freedom of expression

10. 2 ND AMENDMENT  “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”  What is a militia?  What does it mean when it states “to keep and bear Arms?”  What does the term “infringed” mean?  Why does it say this right is necessary?

11. TRICKS (make a separate sheet for all tricks) 1 ST AMENDMENT 2 ND AMENDMENT  R – religion  A – assembly  P – petition  P – press  S - speech  You have 2 arms

13. ENGEL V. VITAL 1962 ISSUEOUTCOME  Students were being led in prayer at school by teachers/administrators  Is asking students to take part in prayer as a group a violation of freedom of religion?  Yes – it was a violation  Students cannot be asked by teachers/ administrators to pray publically

14. TINKER V. DES MOINES 1969 ISSUEOUTCOME  Sister and brother wore black arm bands to school to protest Vietnam War and were suspended  Was the suspension and suppression of the students’ views a violation of the 1 st Amendment’s freedom of speech?  Yes – it was a violation  Freedom of speech includes symbolic speech and is protected for students

15. WALLACE V. JAFFREE 1985 ISSUEOUTCOME  Parent was upset about the moment of silence meant for prayer at his children’s school  Is having a moment of silence a violation of freedom of religion?  Yes – it was a violation  Moments of silence with a religious undertone put undue pressure on others to pray

16. TEXAS V. JOHNSON 1989 ISSUEOUTCOME  Man in Texas was arrested for burning a U.S. flag in protest of the Reagan administration  Was the arrest of the man a violation of his freedom of speech?  Yes – it was a violation  Burning the U.S. flag is considered to be a form of symbolic speech and is allowed