AP Government and Politics
Civil Liberties Project
Objectives:



Research a Supreme Court Case related to the topic of Civil Liberties
Create a brief of the Supreme Court that analyzes its application to public policy in American society
Present your findings to your peers
Project Requirements:
Part I: Write and print out a 500-word brief of your court case which provides the following information (rubric #1)
a.
b.
c.
d.
Summary of the case
2 selected quotes that illustrate the majority opinion with a rationale of the importance of those quotes
2 selected quotes that illustrate the minority opinion with a rationale of the importance of those quotes
Impact of the court case. What is the salient Constitutional point? (clauses related, precedents set, related court cases, etc.)
Court Case Information should be found here (use the search tool): http://www.oyez.org/,
Part II: Project Presentation (rubric #2)
a. Presentation of the importance to the topic and relation to theme will occur during class time
b. Presentations will be short in nature (approximately 3 minutes) but students will present several times in order to assess the content knowledge
of their topic and practice presentation skills
Goal: 15/20
Exemplary (4)
Goal: Proficient (3)
Developing (2)
Beginning (1)
Cognition and
Comprehension
Consistently demonstrates
an ability to explain both
stated and implied
information in the text;
identifies all important
details.
Demonstrates an ability to
explain both stated and implied
information in the text; identifies
the majority of important details.
Attempts to explain both
stated and implied
information in the text,
though displays an inclination
toward the stated versus
implied; identifies some
important details.
Does not attempt to explain
both stated and implied
information in the text; does
not identify any important
details.
Analysis
Provides an insightful
synthesis of text and
argument through an
effective interpretation. The
argument expresses quality
and depth of understanding.
Provides an adequate synthesis
of text and argument through an
effective interpretation. The
argument expresses an adequate
understanding.
Provides a limited synthesis of
text and argument. The
argument expresses limited
understanding.
Provides an insufficient
understanding of the text.
Missing or ineffective
argument.
Style and Writing
Conventions
Reflects clear awareness of
audience in the tone of the
writing. Uses language
appropriately and
skillfully to express ideas.
Evident control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage
and sentence formation.
Reflects adequate awareness of
audience in the tone of the
writing. Uses language
appropriately to express ideas.
Sufficient control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage and
sentence formation.
Reflects adequate awareness
of audience in the tone of the
writing. Uses language
adequately to express ideas.
Limited control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage
and sentence formation.
Inadequate awareness of
audience as reflected in the
tone of the writing. Attempts
to use technical tools/or
language conventions.
Minimal control of grammar,
mechanics, spelling, usage and
sentence formation.
Ethical Research
Demonstrates appropriate
application of appropriate
protocol, ethical, and legal
guidelines during research
and evaluation; including
proper documentation and
citations. No evidence of
plagiarism or inappropriate
use of others' work.
Demonstrates appropriate
application of appropriate
protocol, ethical, and legal
guidelines during research and
evaluation; including proper
format for most documentation
and citations. No evidence of
plagiarism or inappropriate use
of others ‘work.
Loosely demonstrates
application of appropriate
protocol, ethical, and legal
guidelines during research
and evaluation; including
format for most
documentation and citations.
No evidence of plagiarism or
inappropriate use of others'
work.
Does not demonstrate
appropriate application of
appropriate protocol, ethical,
and legal guidelines during
research and evaluation, or
there is evidence of plagiarism
or inappropriate use of others'
work.
Student
Score
Teacher
Score
Rubric #2: Presentation
Goal: 15/20
Exemplary (4)
Goal: Proficient (3)
Developing (2)
Beginning (1)
Engagement
and Body
Language
Movement fluid and purposeful
while holding the audience's
attention with consistent eye
contact.
Movement is purposeful at
times with consistent eye
contact with the reliance on
materials.
Little purposeful movement
and delivery lacks confidence.
Minimal eye contact with
audience.
No preparation is evident in
movement or audience
engagement. Little, if any, eye
contact is shown.
Use of
Language
Precise, illustrative use of a
variety of words and sentence
structures to create consistent
writer's voice and tone
appropriate to audience.
Generic use of a variety of
words and sentence structures
that may or may not create
writer's voice and tone
appropriate to audience.
Limited word choice and
control of sentence structures
that inhibit voice and tone.
Minimal variety in word choice
and minimal control of sentence
structures.
Content and
Organization
Shows a complete
understanding of the topic. Full
preparation is evident through
strong organization of ideas.
Shows an adequate
understanding of the topic.
Preparation is evident through
adequate organization of ideas.
Shows some understanding of
the topic. Less than adequate
preparation is evident
through inadequate
organization of ideas.
Lacks basic understanding of the
topic. Lack of preparation is
evident through disorganization of
ideas.
Volume and
Clarity
A student uses a clear voice and
correct, precise pronunciation of
words so that audience can hear
what is said.
Voice of student is clear and
most of the audience can hear
what is said. Student
pronounces most words
correctly.
Voice of student is too low
and audience has difficulty
hearing what is said. Student
incorrectly pronounces
certain terms.
Student mumbles, incorrectly
pronounces words, and speaks too
quietly for audience to hear what
is said.
Fluency
Use of appropriate language,
grammar, and syntax.
Vocabulary, grammar, and
syntax are mostly appropriate.
Little use of appropriate
grammar, language, or syntax.
There is seldom use of appropriate
grammar, language, or syntax.
Student
Score
Teacher
Score