Constitutional Flexibility

Enduring Questions Independent Investigation Essay How to write a good essay

Enduring Questions Is the amendment process the reason why the Constitution has lasted so long?

Enduring Questions What contemporary events and/or issues may lead to constitutional amendments in the future? Why?

Enduring Questions Which amendment that has already been passed is the most important? What makes it the most important?

End of Topic Test Pass Mark = 18/25 Failure to achieve the pass mark will result in re-taking the test in an after school session.

Independent Investigation Essay Since 1789, the French have written 17 constitutions, and adopted 14 of them, whilst the US Constitution has remained for over 220 years. How and why has the US Constitution survived? 45 marks = 45 minutes

How and why has the US Constitution survived? You should discuss; -Principles & Features of the US Constitution -Type of government the constitution created -System of checks and balances -Bill of Rights -Amendment Process -Constitutional Amendments

How to get a Grade A Answer the question Analyse the question Focus on the question (link back to question) Examples and Evidence Context Political vocab (all those big words!!) Don’t repeat yourself Generalisations; there is always an exception to the rule! Aware of arguments for both sides Clear writing style

An Assessment of the US Constitution To be in a position to tackle any questions on this topic, you need to have a strong understanding of the following: the thinking behind the Constitution - what the Founding Fathers aimed to achieve how the Constitution works - its key features, such as the system of checks and balances, and how it is amended the special significance of federalism as a mechanism to limit the power of the federal government - and how it has developed the specific rights protected in the Bill of Rights the ideological viewpoints on the effectiveness of the Constitution ALL of these are important for essays. You will ALWAYS be expected to demonstrate different perspectives on issues, as this is how synoptic skills are tested.

TASK Read the different ideological viewpoints on the Constitution (Conservatives, Liberals, Centrists and Challengers). Decide which ideological view point is the closest to your own ideological viewpoint. You are to produce an essay examining your ideological viewpoint of the Constitution. Use the information in the handout to help you think of areas you might like to investigate. This is the last task for your Constitution topic so you need to use all of the knowledge and skills you have gained to make a thorough assessment of the US Constitution.

Guiding Questions How does your ideological viewpoint interpret the intentions of the Founding Fathers? How do the key features of the constitution, the system of checks and balances, and the amendment process support and challenge your ideological viewpoint? Examine your ideological viewpoint's ideas about federalism? (e.g. anti- federalist? federalist?) In what ways does the Bill of Rights challenge and support your ideological viewpoint of the Constitution? How effective does your ideological viewpoint believe the constitution is? and FINALLY... From the questions you have addressed already in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution from your viewpoint, recommend 3 changes to the constitution that people who share you ideological viewpoint would like to see implemented. (This can be a piece of legislation, constitutional amendment, constitutional convention etc).

Essay Structure Guide Introduction (what ideological viewpoint are you? why? how does this viewpoint interpret the constitution?) Paragraph 1: Parts of the Constitution that support your viewpoint (e.g. features, checks and balances, amendment process) Paragraph 2: Parts of the Constitution that challenge your viewpoint (e.g. features, checks and balances, amendment process) Paragraph 3: Your viewpoint on federalism Paragraph 4: Your viewpoint and the Bill of Rights Paragraph 5: How effective is the constitution? Conclusion: Summarising arguments, and 3 ways to improve constitution. You must submit your essay by 4pm on Friday 28th October 2011 (the friday of half term in order for it to be marked and feedback given before we start a new topic).