Why Are Civil Liberties Important?

Transcription

1 Why Are Civil Liberties Important? INSTRUCTIONAL OBJECTIVES Students will be able to: define civil liberties recognize the civil liberties that Americans hold evaluate the importance of civil liberties in American society OVERVIEW Students will investigate the concept of civil liberties in preparation for making posters illustrating the challenges to free speech in contemporary American society. MATERIALS NEEDED National Security and Free Speech: The Debate Since 9/11 Notes from their readings Civil Liberties worksheet for each student Poster paper for each group Markers in various colors Tape PREPARATION As homework: Have students actively read the general and part introductions to National Security and Free Speech: The Debate Since 9/11. They are to bring their notes to class. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 1

2 PROCEDURE 1. Divide the class into groups of 4 5 and distribute the worksheet. Ask the class to define civil liberties or explain to the class that civil liberties are the personal rights of citizens that protect them from undue or intrusive interference by government. 2. Ask the class to brainstorm specific examples of these liberties freedom of thought, speech, association, conscience, movement, privacy, etc. Tell the class to list each freedom on the worksheet. 3. Point out that the Founders considered the protection of civil liberties so important that many states refused to ratify the Constitution, which provided for a strong central government, unless a Bill of Rights was added to protect civil liberties. 4. Have your students work in their groups to brainstorm why each of the freedoms is important in a democracy. Ask them to write their answers in the appropriate column on the worksheet. 5. Once the groups have finished brainstorming, ask a representative of each group to report their thoughts. Create a master chart on the board and fill it in as students respond. Tell your students to add the thoughts of other groups to their worksheets so the class has a master list. 6. Explain that over the course of the 20th century, the Supreme Court has gradually given a central place to freedom of speech. Ask the groups to brainstorm why they think this is so and report their findings to the class. 7. Explain that over the course of U.S. history, freedom of speech has been threatened, particularly in times of war or when national security has been jeopardized. Ask students to share examples from the readings. 8. Point out that many civil libertarians think that measures taken in response to the attacks of 9/11 have eroded civil liberties, including freedom of speech. Ask your students to use their notes from the readings and any thoughts their groups have to list 5 concerns. 9. Distribute the poster paper and markers. Tell students to use the information they have gathered to create a poster illustrating the importance of free speech and the challenges free speech faces in contemporary American society. 10. Once students have completed the posters, mount them around the room, and facilitate a gallery walk. Remind students to take notes on what they see. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 2

3 SUMMARY Facilitate a discussion of the posters and about whether students see the concerns as valid. HOMEWORK Have your students write a short composition explaining what they think the primary challenge to free speech is today and why. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 3

4 CIVIL LIBERTIES Instructions: Working with your group, complete the worksheet below and use your findings to create a poster that a) explains the importance of civil liberties, particularly freedom of speech, in a democracy, and b) illustrates contemporary challenges to free speech. Part 1: Background 1. Define civil liberties. 2. Brainstorm specific examples of these liberties and list them below. Then brainstorm why each is important in a democracy and add your thoughts to the table. ISSUE WHY IMPORTANT NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 4

5 3. Brainstorm why you think the Supreme Court has given a central place to the freedom of speech and be prepared to report your group s findings to the class. 4. Over the course of U.S. history, freedom of speech has been threatened, particularly in times of war or when national security appears to be imperiled. List 3 historical examples from the readings and be prepared to share them with the class. 1. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 5

6 Many civil libertarians think that measures taken in response to the attacks of 9/11 have eroded civil liberties, including freedom of speech. Use the notes from the readings and any thoughts your group has to list 5 concerns Part 2: The Poster Use the information your group has gathered to create a poster illustrating the importance of civil liberties, particularly free speech, in a democracy and the challenges that free speech faces in contemporary American society. NATIONAL SECURITY AND FREE SPEECH Why Are Civil Liberties Important? 6