We the Students : Supreme Court Cases for and About Students [Paperback]

Jamin B. Raskin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2000 | ISBN-10: 1568025718 | ISBN-13: 978-1568025711

Filled with real-life examples and exercises, We the Students helps students gain a greater understanding of constitutional law in an interesting and thought-provoking way.

Designed for students and teachers in regular and A.P. social studies, history, journalism, constitutional law, and government classes, We the Students is full of interesting examples and exercises to provide students with a greater understanding of constitutional law in a way in which they can relate and enjoy.

Specific cases covered include:
-- Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District No. 21
-- Melton v. Young
-- Bethel School District v. Fraser
-- Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
-- Engel v. Vitale
-- Lee v. Weisman
-- New Jersey v. T.L.O.
-- Vernonia School District v. Acton
-- Goss v. Lopez
-- Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
-- Plus 16 additional key cases.

Designed for the Library and the Classroom:
-- Suggested activities offer innovative ideas for team projects
-- Historical material provides valuable context and points of reference
-- Glossary definitions clarify fundamental concepts and terms
-- Biographies of Justices introduce the men and women who shape our laws.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A dynamic, riveting introduction to the Supreme Court as it touches on the lives and liberties of students. Civics class will never be the same." -- Former Solicitor General Kenneth W. Starr

"A model textbook. I wish there were more like it." -- Garry Wills, Author of Inventing America and Lincoln at Gettysburg

"For most students the Constitution is a dull abstraction. But Professor Raskin brings it to life." -- Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr.

Syndicated columnist Nat Hentoff says "extraordinarily clear and compelling...important...the Raskin Awakening is sorely needed throughout the country." -- The Washington Times, June 12, 2000

From the Publisher

A selection of the most interesting Supreme Court cases for and about students. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: CQ Press (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1568025718
• ISBN-13: 978-1568025711
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,171,738 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #22 in Books > Law > Procedures & Litigation > Court Records

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Breakthrough Work for High School Students, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: We the Students : Supreme Court Cases for and About Students (Paperback)

This is a spectacular book. It puts together the most important cases the Supreme Court ever handed down about high school students and analyzes what they mean for high school students on an everyday basis. As a college freshman, I wish that I had had access to We the Students for the last four years when I really needed it! The book also has some really amazing photos of the high school students that were in the cases, which makes the text come alive. This new approach to teaching the Constitution-through cases that ffect us directly as students-truly surpasses the boredom that arises in more conventional methods of teaching law. Great book! Looking forward to sequel for college students...

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars In their own words, June 18, 2000

By 

Tim Parker (Fairbanks, Alaska) - See all my reviews

This review is from: We the Students : Supreme Court Cases for and About Students (Paperback)

As a journalism teacher, I've been piecing together parts of Supreme Court cases for years. The words of the justices form the core of free speech law and students need to read the cases to truly understand their rights. The problem, however, was that much of the writing, thick with legalese and sidetracks, was beyond the grasp of most students. Raskin has changed that by editing the cases down to their essential arguments and introducing them in a way that students can understand. Well done.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Quite a High School Textbook, May 4, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: We the Students: Supreme Court Decisions for and About Students (Hardcover)

After teaching two semesters out of this book at the high school level, I found that I and the students were reading less and less of this book. At first, I was excited by about the book. However, it began to drag on me, when I soon realized, that there was no teacher's edition, no real high school activities, and limited reveiw questions. I had to start writing entire chapters and rarely used the actual textbook. The material was vague and over general at best. Little research was done into the deeper issues that can make the cases come alive. However, the lack of activities kill this book for me and I wonder why I switch from the Street Law book in the first place. Next year, I'll go back.