EDC 281 - U.S. Constitution for Teachers

1. Identify major principles in the U.S. Constitution.
2. Examine the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
3. Explore ways in which the U.S. Constitution has been defined through interpretation.
4. Interpret civil rights and responsibilities for K12 students and teachers.

1. Major Constitutional Principles
   1. Branches of government
   2. Relationships among the three branches
   3. Major steps in the legislative process
   4. Major principles and procedures of the election process
   5. Terms and qualifications of U.S. senators, representatives, and the president
   6. Relationship between the states and the federal government
   7. The “supremacy clause” of the Constitution
   8. Procedures for amending the Constitution
2. Bill of Rights and Other Amendments
   1. Historical and political context of the Bill of Rights
   2. Government limitations
   3. Due process protections
   4. Amendments that expanded participation in government (historically excluded groups)
   5. Civil rights issues and election procedures
   6. Amendments related to state lawsuits, taxation, and governmental organization
3. Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution
   1. Landmark Supreme Court decisions
   2. Civil rights issues
   3. Rights and responsibilities of K12 students and teachers