CITIZENSHIP PROJECT

CITIZENSHIP PROJECT

Directions
PART ONE: MINI-RESEARCH PAPER (2-3 PGS): Discuss the process of becoming a US citizen and the conflicts concerning legal and illegal immigration in America today. (INCLUDE CITATIONS)

•   What does it mean to be a U.S citizen? What are your rights? Responsibilities?
  
•   How can you become a US citizen? What is the process? Benefits?
•   What are some issues with citizenship and immigration in America
  today? 
                                                                                                                                PART TWO: INTERVIEW: You must conduct an interview with a friend, family member, teacher, neighbor, etc. about citizenship. You must include at least 5-7 Questions and Answers.

•   How did they become a citizen?
  
•   What do they value about their citizenship?
•   How do they feel about how U.S citizens are being discussed in
  politics today?
• 
  
• PART THREE: OPINION AND CONCLUSION: Write 2 page opinion piece and reflection about citizenship
• 
  

•   How does Donald Trump’s proposal to ban Muslim challenge America’s values? (Required response**)
  
•   After completing this unit, how has your perspective on citizenship changed?
  
•   What are your final thoughts about citizenship?
•   How can you be a better citizen in your community, school, and
  country?
  Suggested Resources
• 
  
• PART THREE: WORKS CITED PAGE – MLA FORMAT

•   http://immigration.about.com/
  
•   http://www.uscis.gov/
  
•   http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/citizen-usa-a-50-state-road-trip/
  
•   http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/guest-column-trump-ban-
  muslims-wrong-article-1.2459376 
  

SUPREME COURT ESSAY PROJECT

SUPREME COURT PROJECT

Choose one of the following landmark Supreme Court Cases.

BROWN vs. BOARD OF ED

PLESSY vs. FERGUSON

ROE vs. WADE

KOREMATSU vs. UNITED STATES

GIDEON vs. WAINWRIGHT

MAPP vs. OHIO

TINKER vs. DES MOINE

REGENTS OF U. OF CALIFORNIA vs. BAKKE

TEXAS vs. JOHNSON

ENGEL vs. VITALE

LAWRENCE vs. TEXAS

Directions: PART ONE:  You must draft a LEGAL BRIEF about the Supreme Court case that you selected that follows the format you have been provided.

PART TWO: You must write an essay that discusses the Supreme Court and how the institution functions. You must also write about the case that you selected and how your case is related to a subsequent Supreme Court case. In addition,   you must write a connection that explains how the outcome of your Supreme Court case impacted the United States and also your life today.

1.     INTRODUCTION

·       What is the Supreme Court? How does the court function?

·       How does the Supreme Court select which cases that it will take?

·       What are opinions? How are majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions different?

·       How many members serve on the court? How many do we have in 2016?  How will President Elect Donald Trump impact the future makeup of the court?

·       What is YOUR Supreme Court case about? What is the issue at stake in this case?

2.     CASE: BRIEF

·       Complete and attach the Case Brief for your Supreme Court Case within your essay.

·      Write the information in YOUR OWN words.

      Case Brief Worksheet

3.     PRECEDENT/CONNECTION to another CASE

    Many landmark cases serve as the precedent (the case that comes BEFORE) to many subsequent (following) court cases. What was the ruling in your case? How does your case connect to ANOTHER Supreme Court Case? (ex: Plessy vs. Ferguson was overturned by the decision in the Brown vs. Board case) Provide examples with evidence to explain the connection.

4.    CONCLUSION

·       How does the decision in your Supreme Court case impact our lives in America today?

·       What would our society be like if the decision in your case never happened?

·       Is it possible that your court case could be overturned by another decision?

·       How might the Supreme Court change after the election of Donald Trump? What are some upcoming cases that will be influenced by the president elect’s victory in the 2016 Election?

·       

·       

SUGGESTED LINKS

SUPREME COURT BACKGROUND

http://www.shmoop.com/judicial-branch/the-supreme-court.html

SUPREME COURT CASES

http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/supreme-court-landmarks

http://landmarkcases.org/en/landmark/home

CASE BRIEFS

https://www.casebriefs.com/

https://www.oyez.org/