102.6.6: U.S. Constitution, Law, & Citizenship – The graduate explains the roles of major institutions in American Government, the contents and importance of historical documents, understands major principles in the Constitution of the United States, and the ways that American citizens participate in government.

Objective 102.6.6-30: Analyze the implications of the 1st and 2nd Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Among the most controversial issues of our time are those rooted in the 1st and 2nd Amendments to the Constitution: the freedom of the press to protect their sources of information, the separation of church and state, and gun control.

Write an essay (maximum of three pages) that discusses the relationship between the 1st and 2nd Amendments and contemporary political issues. Be sure to address the following topics:

Explain the contents of the 1st and 2nd Amendments.

Using at least one specific illustration for each subject, explain current controversies relating to freedom of the press to protect sources of information, the separation of church and state, and gun control.

Analyze the two amendments as they relate to these contemporary issues.

102.6.6-30 Student Rubric
Aspect Criteria
1. The work is difficult to follow and is confusing.
2. The work needs clarification and other revision.
3. The work is easy to follow and understand.
Communication
Holistic
4. The work is extremely clear and easy to understand.
1. Five or more minor errors and some major errors.
2. Three-four minor errors.
3. One-two minor errors.
Mechanics
(Grammar,
punctuation,
spelling, etc.) 4. No errors.
1. Poor sentence structure, limited vocabulary, inappropriate word choice.
2. Some sentence variation, adequate but limited vocabulary, poor word choice.
3. Generally effective sentence structure, solid vocabulary, accurate word choice.
Style (Word
choice, sentence
structure, etc.)
4. Highly varied sentence structure, vivid vocabulary, accurate word choice.
1. Does not explain the contents of the 1st Amendment.
2. Incompletely explains the 1st Amendment, leaving out key elements.
3. Clearly explains the contents of the 1st Amendment.
A1. Explain the 1st
Amendment
4. Clearly explains the contents of the 1st Amendment and analyzes it with respect to the
possible intent of the framers of the Constitution.
1. Does not explain the contents of the 2nd Amendment.
2. Incompletely explains the 2nd Amendment, leaving out key elements.
3. Clearly explains the contents of the 2nd Amendment.
A2. Explain the
2nd Amendment
4. Clearly explains the contents of the 2nd Amendment and analyzes it with respect to the
possible intent of the framers of the Constitution.
1. Does not use any illustrations when discussing current controversies.
2. Uses less than one illustration for each of the three controversies.
3. Uses one illustration for each controversy.
B1. Illustration of
Current
Controversies
4. Uses more than one illustration for each controversy.
1. Does not explain any current controversial issues.
2. The explanations are vague or unclear.
3. The explanations are logical and clear.
B2. Explanation
of Current
Controversies
4. The explanations of current controversies are logical, clear, and demonstrate an
understanding of the Constitutional significance of each issue.
1. Offers no analysis.
2. Analysis of current controversial issues in relation to each amendment is vague or unclear.
3. Analysis of current controversial issues in relation to each amendment is logical and clear.
C.
Analysis of
Relationship to
Amendment 4. Analysis of current controversial issues in relation to each amendment is logical, clear, and
demonstrates an understanding of the amendment’s historical context and influence on U. S.
political history