Name:_____________________________
US History I
Group 40 Pts
HISTORY ON TRIAL: YOU BE THE JUDGE!
TOPICS DUE: ________________________
CONFERENCE: ________________________
PRESENTATIONS DUE: ________________________
Background: In addition to gaining an increased sense of how the Constitution guides our lives, this
assignment will help you develop important skills in research, critical thinking, and public speaking. All
components and point totals are outlined below. This project is worth a total of 40 points. You will
receive a group grade for Steps 1-4.
STEP 1: Pick a Topic
2 Points
After groups are distributed you will pick topics from the list at the end of this packet. All topics are
issues that are controversial and have a long running history of being questioned and debated. Your
task in this project will be to research this various issue and present the facts to the class in an
unbiased, five minute presentation.
STEP 2: Begin Research
8 Points
Historical inquiry is most successful and meaningful when it starts with good research! Each of the
possible topics for this project have numerous sources from newspapers, court documents,
textbooks, and encyclopedias. When determining which sources to use, the validity of sources is
something challenging for students to determine. I have listed some suggested sources for you to
use, below. You will produce a bibliography for this project.
Day 1 Reminder - send a LHS e-mail to Mrs. Meyer and Mr. Collins to invite to edit your Google
slides mcollins@livingston.org and ameyer@livingston.org
Recommended: Book: The Americans, Facts on File Databases, GALE Databases, Salem History
STEP 3: Focus Your Research
Focus on the most important five issues below for your research:
1. The history of your issue
2. Your issue’s legal and Constitutional significance
3. The beliefs of those who support and oppose your issue
4. The current status of your topic
5. The future of your issue
10 Points
**HINT** It would be a very wise idea to make an outline from these five things to help organize your
research. There are template guides on the class website for your review.
STEP 4: Presentation
20 Points
To support your research you will create a FIVE SLIDE PowerPoint presentation. There is ONE
SLIDE for each of the focus points.
1. The history of your issue
2. Your issue’s legal and Constitutional significance
3. The beliefs of those who support and oppose your issue
4. The current status of your topic
5. The future of your issue
PPT DOS:
 DO include relevant picture visuals
 DO make questions to pose to the class
 DO maintain a SHORT amount of text
 DO practice your presentation
 DO be fair
SLIDE 1
SLIDE 2
SLIDE 3
SLIDE 4
SLIDE 5
PPT DONTS:
 DON’T Have a full slide of text
 DON’T Forget to include pictures
 DON’T Read directly from slide
 DON'T express your personal opinion
POSSIBLE TOPICS
Freedom of speech issues: KKK, Neo-Nazis,
hate speech, flag burning
Sentencing discrepancies
Medicinal marijuana
School prayer, intelligent design, faith-based
funding
Miranda warnings
School vouchers
Internet regulations
Drug testing
Violations of civil liberties during war
Pledge of allegiance
Prisoner/criminal rights
Abortion
Victim’s rights
Gun control
The Electoral College
Freedom of the press
The impeachment process
Student rights – freedom of the press/search
and seizure/ drug testing
Right to die (“euthanasia”)
Racial profiling
Gay marriage
Title IX
Death penalty