Why do we have Amendments? Why don't we just change the plan for government? What is the process for Amendments? We will explore all this as well as the Amendments and the Amendment process in this 5 week class.
In week 1, we will look at the Constitutional authority that gives America the chance to change the Constitution, discuss how hard it is to make an Amendment and the process for that and we will discuss Amendments 1-3. We will look at the five freedoms guaranteed by Amendment 1; the highly controversial Amendment 2 and each side's argument before and against this Amendment; and the seemingly out of place Amendment 3. What is its historical significance? Why do we have it?
In week 2, we will look at Amendments 4-8. We will look at the rights of the accused and how they have been debated and added to over time through legislation?
In week 3, we will look at Amendments 9-15. Students will discover how these Amendments gave us more rights and even expanded the role of Government.
In week 4- we will discuss the seemingly forgotten Amendments of 16-21 and how they expanded government control, the repealing of one of them and expanding voting rights for women.
In week 5, we will dicuss the final Amendments 22-27. We will explore how government power has changed and how voting rights and access changed even more.