Understanding our rights.

[Kal'Stang]

I propose that all highschools have a required course in which the sole focus is the US Constitution, its rights, how it came to be and how it applies to current events. Part of this would be to include each of the founders letters and notes regarding what each section was suppose to mean.

I know that at one time schools at least touched this subject, though not near in depth as I propose here, but it seems that either they have stopped touching on it period or they touch on it far less than when I was in school. People NEED to know and understand their rights and frankly it disgusts me at how stupid people are on the subject.

 

[StillBallin75]

NSL (National State Local Government) and/or AP NSL were required courses when I was in high school :shrug:

Oh and by the the way, in response to this proposal, Constitutional textualists would say "leave it to the states/districts."

 

[Fisher]

We had it some in Civics but mostly in Early American History. The one caveat is that it would seem, as proposed, to ignore the 200 years of jurisprudence between then and now, which is kind of relevant.

 

[Dubliner]

I propose that all highschools have a required course in which the sole focus is the US Constitution, its rights, how it came to be and how it applies to current events. Part of this would be to include each of the founders letters and notes regarding what each section was suppose to mean.

I know that at one time schools at least touched this subject, though not near in depth as I propose here, but it seems that either they have stopped touching on it period or they touch on it far less than when I was in school. People NEED to know and understand their rights and frankly it disgusts me at how stupid people are on the subject.

In my current AP US Government class we spent a little time on the constitution. We did have a test on it and spent about 2 weeks or so learning about it, including reading quite a few of the Federalist Papers. We were also required to read it/ be able to interpret it. Some classes go more in depth than others on it.

 

[Muhammed]

People really should know their rights, especially young people. Students should be taught in high school not only that they don't have to talk to the police or consent to searches without a warrant, but that it extremely unwise to do so.

And have a visiting defense attorney come to class and explain why.

 

[Wiseone]

I propose that all highschools have a required course in which the sole focus is the US Constitution, its rights, how it came to be and how it applies to current events. Part of this would be to include each of the founders letters and notes regarding what each section was suppose to mean.

I know that at one time schools at least touched this subject, though not near in depth as I propose here, but it seems that either they have stopped touching on it period or they touch on it far less than when I was in school. People NEED to know and understand their rights and frankly it disgusts me at how stupid people are on the subject.

I agree, although I think you'd want to have them taught according to your opinion and not how things have actually worked.

 

[Kal'Stang]

I agree, although I think you'd want to have them taught according to your opinion and not how things have actually worked.

*sniffs bait* *walks away*

 

[HonestJoe]

There is a word missing from this thread. That word is "responsibilities". No teaching about rights should be without it. Even the Consitution isn't really about the rights of the people but the responsibilities of the federal government. I think you can develop a much better attitude in young (and old!) people presenting a natural balance between rights and responsibilities rather than the exclusive focus of their own rights.

 

[Kal'Stang]

There is a word missing from this thread. That word is "responsibilities". No teaching about rights should be without it. Even the Consitution isn't really about the rights of the people but the responsibilities of the federal government. I think you can develop a much better attitude in young (and old!) people presenting a natural balance between rights and responsibilities rather than the exclusive focus of their own rights.

You can teach people responsibility...you can't make them BE responsible. But generally I agree with you.

 

[Oberon]

I propose that all highschools have a required course in which the sole focus is the US Constitution, its rights, how it came to be and how it applies to current events. Part of this would be to include each of the founders letters and notes regarding what each section was suppose to mean.

This would be completely worthless, unless of course you can also magically restore the letters they burned or their families burned. The reason Abraham Lincoln's myth was so pristine for so many decades was because the Todd family controlled access to his archives and demanded editorial control over anything written about him from any 'historian' as a precondition for access to his papers until the 1950's, and of course there is whole body of censorship surrounding the Jefferson Myth as well, very much like the Camelot mythology surrounding JFK. Few historians are actually objective, and just as prone to Hero Worship as your average 10 year old is.

 

[Kal'Stang]

This would be completely worthless, unless of course you can also magically restore the letters they burned or their families burned. The reason Abraham Lincoln's myth was so pristine for so many decades was because the Todd family controlled access to his archives and demanded editorial control over anything written about him from any 'historian' as a precondition for access to his papers until the 1950's, and of course there is whole body of censorship surrounding the Jefferson Myth as well, very much like the Camelot mythology surrounding JFK. Few historians are actually objective, and just as prone to Hero Worship as your average 10 year old is.

We can use what we have.

 

[Green Balls]

Part of the curriculum when I went to high school was one year of American history. In the class, we covered a good deal of the constitution. In fact, we spent one month creating our own constitution the same way our forefathers did. I got to play James Madison, so I had the task of taking all the notes and writing out the constitution when we were finished. I did it in calligraphy on poster board and received an A+. It was an experience I think all students in high school should go through.

 

[mak2]

Me too.

Part of the curriculum when I went to high school was one year of American history. In the class, we covered a good deal of the constitution. In fact, we spent one month creating our own constitution the same way our forefathers did. I got to play James Madison, so I had the task of taking all the notes and writing out the constitution when we were finished. I did it in calligraphy on poster board and received an A+. It was an experience I think all students in high school should go through.

 

[Torrent]

Which 'Rights'?
The God given ones? Those don't need alot of teaching as they happen anyway and no matter what others do. (people can be punished for acting on them but they are still there)

The Goverment given ones? Some of those do not apply to students/minors. And Anti-Bullying codes and other such rules negate alot of students 'Rights' even thou that is illegal it still happens. (look up the group FIRE or the book they wrote Unlearning Liberity)

The Legal Rights? These are even harder as they don't apply to everyone equally, even thou they should be IMHO. But certin groups/people will get 'away' with different things becuse of who they are/know.

Plus the School it self will then have to deal with students that will act on what they think 'rights' let them get away with. (I know it happens now anyway)

And Last You think teaching it in Schools is going to actually get it to stick? We have trouble (as a country) teaching reading/spelling/grammer/math. (My creative spelling is a good example) And those subjects aren't as contraverisel as what are your Rights are.

 

[Bodi]

I propose that all highschools have a required course in which the sole focus is the US Constitution, its rights, how it came to be and how it applies to current events. Part of this would be to include each of the founders letters and notes regarding what each section was suppose to mean.

I know that at one time schools at least touched this subject, though not near in depth as I propose here, but it seems that either they have stopped touching on it period or they touch on it far less than when I was in school. People NEED to know and understand their rights and frankly it disgusts me at how stupid people are on the subject.

People do have the right to remain ignorant though... stop trouncing on those people's rights!!