Week 5 Objectives: Over the last four weeks you have learned about the origins of the U.S. Constitution, the three branches of the federal government, the U.S. Bill of Rights, and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court. In Week 5, you will reflect on the U.S. Constitution, its purpose in modern America, and evaluate how current societal issue may necessitate revisions to the U.S. Constitution.
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DISCUSSION RULES
Post a total of three substantive responses each week. A substantive reply is:
- A minimum of 175 words.
- Notes facts from the materials in the Learning Activities folder with references and citations.
- Includes your thoughts about those facts.
- Includes references in APA 7 format.
- Be nice and don’t talk politics – we’re all on the same side here.
- Your first post is due Thursday and should be a stand-alone post that starts a discussion thread.
- Then between Tuesday and Monday, reply at least once to any instructor post and reply at least once to another classmate.
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DISCUSSION TOPICS & QUESTIONS
Choose one topic for your initial main post and then select a different topic for your reply message to a classmate. Your reply to one of my posts can be on any topic (so my response to your initial post or my response to any other classmates’ initial post).
Topic One: The Purpose of the U.S. Constitution: After watching the segment of “Theodore Olson and David Boies on Same-Sex Marriage” in the Purpose of the Constitution video in the Week 5 Learning Activities Folder, consider the following questions:
- David Boies says the whole point of the U.S. Constitution is to tell the majority of people their beliefs are wrong. What does he mean by this?
- The video discusses fundamental rights. What are some of the fundamental rights in the U.S. Constitution?
Topic Two: Your Amendment Option: Review the amendment options listed on the Week 5 Written Assignment Instruction Page and select the amendment option for your assignment. ***Using an article relevant to your Week 5 written assignment amendment options only,*** consider:
- Should the U.S. Constitution be amended to reflect changes in society? Why or why not?
- How would an amendment resolve the amendment option you chose?
- Explain the opposing viewpoints in relation to the issue. Why would this amendment not be a good idea?
- Would your amendment option be better resolved by a new law from Congress?
- What is the process for amending the U.S. Constitution? Is the process easy and simple, or is it difficult and requiring consensus?
Topic Three: Washington’s Farewell Address of 1796: We’ve spent the last four weeks discussing what influenced the Founders to create the U.S. Constitution, how our government is structured to prevent majority/minority tyranny and protect the minority (size not ethnicity) opinion, and our individual rights in the U.S. Bill of Rights and how the U.S. Supreme Court helps us protect them. This week, as we are looking at if there are gaps in the U.S. Constitution, and how to amend it if necessary. It’s worth then remembering the point of why we have a U.S. Constitution and all that the Founders did to ensure it lasted with minimal interference from individuals who think they know better in the moment. After reading Washington’s Farewell Address in the Week 5 Learning Activities Folder consider the following:
- What were Washington’s thoughts and concerns about maintaining democracy and the promise of our U.S. Constitution.
- How well have we listened to Washington?
