override state law within public schools H u m a n i t i e s

2.2.7 Practice: Applying Constitutional Principles

For this assignment, you will identify examples of constitutional principles in action. You will do this by completing the following steps:

1. Analyze: Explain which constitutional principle is demonstrated in each recent example.
2. Write: Write a reflective paragraph about which constitutional principle you consider to be most relevant today.

To get the best grade possible, follow the instructions in the assignment closely and answer all questions completely. This assignment is worth 10 points.

Carefully read the real-world scenarios described in each question and determine which of the following constitutional principles each demonstrates:

• Popular sovereignty
• Republicanism
• Rule of law
• Limited government
• Federalism
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances

This section is worth 4 points.

1. A high school student in San Antonio, Texas, who brought an unloaded handgun to school was charged with violating the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990. The student challenged the charge, claiming that Congress did not have the power to override state law within public schools. In the 1995 case United States v. Lopez, the Supreme Court ruled that Congress did not have the power to regulate public schools. Instead, the Court found that that power belonged to individual states.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that conclusion? (1 point)

2. In 2008, President George W. Bush vetoed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act after it had passed Congress. Both houses of Congress voted to override the president’s veto, and the act became law on July 15, 2008.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that conclusion? (1 point)

3. In 2010, the United States conducted a census to count all citizens in each state. The results were used to reassess the number of seats each state was awarded in the House of Representatives. States whose populations had increased, like Texas and Florida, gained seats in Congress, while states whose populations had decreased, like New York and Ohio, lost seats.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that conclusion? (1 point)

4. In 2010, Randy Terrill, a state representative from Oklahoma, offered a bribe to a state senator to get her to leave her office. After an investigation, a judge decided that there was enough evidence that Terrill had violated the law, and he was tried in court. In 2013, Terrill was convicted of bribery and sentenced to one year in prison.

Explain which constitutional principle this scenario illustrates. What evidence led you to that conclusion? (1 point)

You will now write a reflective paragraph that clearly explains which constitutional principle you consider to be most important today and why you think so. Your paragraph should be at least five sentences in length. The writing portion of this assignment is worth 6 points.