Bill of Rights, Court Case Scenarios, and Political Songs

Bill of Rights

I should have photographed our mnemonic device for memorizing the Bill of Rights -- the artwork was top-notch!

1. Hands
• Around mouth for Freedom of Speech
• Folded in Prayer for Freedom of Religion
• Joined for Freedom of Assembly
• Fingers for Freedom of Press
2. Naked Arms or a Bear with a gun
3. No Quarters!
4. Where is Caesar?  Where is Little Caesar? Unreasonable Search and Seizure -- the drawing of Little Caesar was unreasonable!
5. Double Jeopardy Song -- PLEADING
6. Court Bench Speeding Along
7. Bee Civil over Money -- $25
8. Don't Be Cruel or Unusual with punishment
9. I GOT's RIGHTS!
10. Drawing of Tennessee and stick people -- States and the individuals (very realistic drawings of the class over Hamblen County that could only be viewed with a microscope)

PLEASE continue to work on a working knowledge of the Bill of Rights.  

We were only able to go over two court cases that had Bill of Rights applications.  We'll revisit those next week and how the judicial system works.  Check out these links for some background knowledge:

• The Federal Court System in the United States (PDF file with some good pages about jurisdiction, etc)
• Courts 101: An Understanding of the Court System (PDF file with good graphics by the IJIS Institute)
• 
  

*example he uses may not be thoughtful, but it is a good intro to the Judiciary

In the video, Keith Hughes mentions a person and a court case we will discuss in class: 

1. Alexander Hamilton
2. Marbury Vs. Madision

Please check those out.  Do some research on your own and with Hamilton look into his connection (decades old) with Aaron Burr.

In addition to what I've mentioned, here's a rundown of this week's homework: 

1. "Cult of Personality"  I shared the song, but see if you can figure out the definition and how it applies to politics.  Is it just for those that are evil?  Can it be for someone percieved as "good"?  How does someone protect against the "cult of personality?"
2. This Land is Your Land by Woody Guthrie  What is the time period this song was introduced?  How does it express his ideologies?  How has it been adopted and used?
3. Use your copies of the proposed amendments to the TN Constitution to comprehend the potential changes/impact of these amendments  What are the thoughts on both sides?  
4. Watch Political Ads.  We'll  revisit the election in a week or so.  Make sure to watch the ads.
5. Find a Political Cartoon (current or historical -- if you like a decade in American History choose a cartoon from that period) to share with the class -- bring it on Wednesday.  Make sure you understand the point of the cartoon. 
6. Choose two "political" songs to share in class

• share the portion of the song that is the most "political" (long songs need to be cut down)
• have the lyrics -- at least one copy
• what is the time period of the song?
• how does the song express the time?
• what do you think the singer(s) is/are trying to accomplish or communicate?
• did the song become a "Protest Song?"
• did it accomplish any "political" action?

Please come prepared to discuss and give others your attention.  Everyone will get a chance to share!  See you Wednesday!