The U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights
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"Bill of Rights/Bill of Responsibilities" (grades 5-12) - Bill Maher hosts this witty inquiry into the meaning of the U.S. Constitution in our lives today. Drawing examples from current events and pop culture, Maher clearly illustrates that the Constitution is "a living document" and demonstrates that history is a continuous process. The program also emphasizes the responsibilities that go along with living in a society where individual rights are so well-protected. (30 minutes)
"How a Bill Becomes a Law" (grades 5-12) - This program helps students understand the legislative process at both the state and federal level. The video features interviews with legislators, lobbyists and interest group representatives. Students are encouraged to evaluate how political, economic, social, regional and moral considerations affect the lawmaking process. (30 minutes)
"Milestone Document Series" (grades 5-12)
- The Making of the Constitution - This video puts key events into historical perspective and examines the pressures faced by Loyalists, Patriots and average Colonists in the quest for fair governance. (27 minutes)
- The Bill of Rights: A Living Document - Brief animation introduces key issues in this up-to-date look at the Bill of Rights. Civics experts explore the complexity of individual rights versus the "common good" in discussions about hate speech, school newspapers, random drug testing, gun control and terrorism. (27 minutes)
"Of Juries and Sentences Series" (grades 5-12)
- Inside the Jury - More than 1.5 million Americans serve on juries each year. This video answers the questions: How are jurors selected and how do they conduct themselves behind the closed doors of the jury room? From voir dire to deliberation, this program spotlights the role that jurors play-and the challenges they face-in a representative case in which a defendant is charged with armed robbery. (45 minutes)
- Cruel and Unusual? - One definition of justice is that the punishment should fit the crime and be in no way cruel and unusual. In this program, California's controversial "Three Strikes" law ; a Michigan city's parental responsibility law, in which a minor's parents must do the time for their son's crime; and a Memphis judge's take on alternative sentencing, which allows burglary victims to commit "reverse theft," put that definition to the test. (45 minutes)
"The Bill of Rights in Action" videotape series. Each of the three videotapes presents two seminars on key Bill of Rights issues. The tapes are: "Equal Protection," "The First Amendment" and "The Right to Privacy." Appropriate for grades 7-12 and adult audiences.
"Forgotten Freedoms" - Produced by the Young Lawyers Division of the American Bar Association. Imagine what life would be like without the Bill of Rights. Appropriate for grades 6-12. (25 minutes)
"The Bill of Rights: Our Guarantee of Freedom" - One-hour videotape of a student forum conducted by broadcast journalist and educator Fred Friendly at Central High School in Newark, New Jersey, on October 18, 1990. Issues explored include search and seizure and the First Amendment. For educational use only. Appropriate for grades 7-12 and adult audiences.
"The Supreme Court's Holy Battles," narrated by Roger Mudd, focuses on religious freedom and the separation of church and state. Appropriate for grades 9-12 and adult audiences. (60 minutes)
"The Constitution: That Delicate Balance" - This award-winning, 13-part television series is available in both 2 inch or 3/4 inch tapes. Appropriate for grades 7-12 and adult audiences. (A $50 deposit is required for each tape.)
- "Affirmative Action vs. Reverse Discrimination"
- "Campaign Spending: Money & Media"
- "Criminal Justice & Defendant's Right to a Fair Trial"
- "Crime & Insanity"
- "Crime & Punishment"
- "Executive Privilege & Delegation of Powers: The President vs. Congress"
- "Federalism: The National Government vs. the States"
- "Immigration Reform"
- "National Security & Freedom of the Press"
- "Presidential Elections, Presidential Succession"
- "School Prayer, Gun Control & the Right to Assemble"
- "The Sovereign Self: Right to Live, Right to Die"
- "War Powers: The President and the Congress"
That Delicate Balance II - Our Bill of Rights - This five-part series, narrated by broadcast journalist Fred W. Friendly, explores our Bill of Rights. Aimed at high school and adult audiences. (Each tape is 60 minutes.) (A $50 deposit is required for each tape.) Topics include:
- "Criminal Justice: From Murder to Execution"
- "Equality and the Individual"
- "First Amendment and Hate Speech"
- "Life and Choice after Roe v. Wade"
- "Two Accused: Chronicle of a Rape Trial"
Amendments to the Constitution Series (3 tapes). The following three programs were selected from this acclaimed Cambridge Educational series based on their relevance in the study of criminal justice. Suitable for middle and high school audiences.
- Amendment 2: The Right to Bear Arms - This program discusses the history of the "right to bear arms" Amendment. It details the controversy over the amendment as it relates to current gun control laws. Numerous court cases are cited as experts present both sides of the issue in this thorough and evenhanded analysis of the meaning of the 2nd Amendment. (5 minutes)
- Amendment 4: Unreasonable Search and Seizure - The origins of and historical context of the 4th Amendment are outlined along with a detailed explanation of "probable cause" and search warrant contents and requirements. Present-day situations and court cases are cited to illustrate the main challenge of interpreting the 4th Amendment-how do we find the balance between protecting society from criminal behavior and upholding individual rights to privacy and freedom from unreasonable searches? (7 minutes)
- Amendments 5-8: The Justice Amendments - This program thoroughly analyzes the text of Amendments 5, 6, 7, and 8 to provide a complete understanding of the laws that are the foundation of the American criminal justice system. Specific rights outlined in the 5th Amendment that are explained include: the grand jury and indictment process, "double jeopardy," self-incrimination and "the right to remain silent," and due process of law. The rights guaranteed in the 6th Amendment for the accused in criminal prosecutions are discussed along with the procedures to be followed in criminal trials. The right of trial by jury in civil cases, bail procedures, and the elimination of excessive fines and cruel and unusual punishment as guaranteed in the 7th and 8th Amendments are also discussed. (15 minutes)
"Just the Facts: U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights" (2 videos) - This production combines engrossing insights from Political Science experts with live action and documentary footage to explain and amplify the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights-the most important documents in American society. The program first examines how the Constitution, with its brilliantly conceived system of checks and balances, serves as the backbone of our nation. Then, the video helps the viewer develop a better understanding of the Bill of Rights-the first ten amendments that added basic legal protections for all citizens. Suitable for middle and high school audiences. (1 hr. 40 minutes on 2 videos)
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