pt. I. Governmental powers and structure -- Presidential power -- Campaign finance showdown -- Judges and politics -- Redistricting disputes -- pt. II. Security -- Civil liberties debates -- Rethinking the death penalty -- Three-strikes laws -- pt. III. Liberty -- Abortion debates -- Privacy under attack -- Libraries and the Internet -- School vouchers showdown -- Faith-based initiatives -- pt. IV. Equality -- School desegregation -- Affirmative action -- Race in America -- Single-sex education -- Gay marriage -- Appendix: Constitution of the United States.
Summary:
Understanding Constitutional Issues focuses on four key themes-governmental powers and structure, security, liberty, and equality-to help students and citizens develop a deeper understanding of the relation between current events and constitutional issues and principles. Integrating seventeen CQ Researcher reports, Understanding Constitutional Issues makes important connections clear, such as those between redistricting and governmental powers and structure; civil liberties and security; and privacy and liberty. The volume includes several of the reports that won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award. An introductory essay sets the stage, ranging from the Constitutional Convention to contemporary events. Each of the four thematic sections begins with its own essay, weaving the related topics together as well as tying them into relevant concepts in the U.S. Constitution. The U.S. Constitution and an index round out the volume.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.