60-Second Civics, Episode 10: Judicial Review [ audio ]
The power of judicial review.
60-Second Civics, Episode 13: Arguments Against Judicial Review [ audio ]
Some of the arguments against judicial review.
60-Second Civics, Episode 14: Role of the Supreme Court [ audio ]
The role of the Supreme Court in the American constitutional system.
60-Second Civics, Episode 15: Original Jurisdiction [ audio ]
The Supreme Court?s original jurisdiction.
60-Second Civics, Episode 16: Appellate Jurisdiction [ audio ]
The Supreme Court?s appellate jurisdiction.
60-Second Civics, Episode 17: Writs of Certiorari [ audio ]
How the Supreme Court decides to hear a case.
60-Second Civics, Episode 18: Declining Supreme Court Caseload [ audio ]
How the number of cases the Supreme Court decides has changed in recent years.
60-Second Civics, Episode 19: Written Opinions [ audio ]
The Supreme Court's practice of issuing written opinions.
60-Second Civics, Episode 20: Constitutional Interpretation: Textualism [ audio ]
An examination of textualism, the first of four common methods of constitutional interpretation.
60-Second Civics, Episode 21: Constitutional Interpretation: Original Intent [ audio ]
An examination of original intent, the second of four common methods of constitutional interpretation.
60-Second Civics, Episode 22: Constitutional Interpretation: Fundamental Princi [ audio ]
An examination of fundamental principles, the third of four common methods of constitutional interpretation.
60-Second Civics, Episode 23: Constitutional Interpretation: Instrumentalism [ audio ]
An examination of instrumentalism, the final of four common methods of constitutional interpretation.
60-Second Civics, Episode 24: Self-Imposed Limits on the Supreme Court [ audio ]
Self-imposed limits, one of several checks on the power of the Supreme Court.
60-Second Civics, Episode 25: Presidential Appointments and the Supreme Court [ audio ]
Presidential appointments as a check on the power of the Supreme Court.
60-Second Civics, Episode 26: Executive Enforcement of Supreme Court Decisions [ audio ]
Executive enforcement of Supreme Court decisions as a check on the power of the Court.
60-Second Civics, Episode 27: Congress and the Power of the Supreme Court [ audio ]
The ability of Congress to check the power of the Supreme Court.
60-Second Civics, Episode 28: Congressional Hearings, Part 1 [ audio ]
A discussion of congressional hearings, an essential part of the process of appointing a Supreme Court nominee.
60-Second Civics, Episode 29: An Overview of Congressional Hearings [ audio ]
The six steps of a congressional hearing.
60-Second Civics, Episode 30: Congressional Hearing Witnesses [ audio ]
The role of witnesses in a congressional hearing.
60-Second Civics, Episode 31: Witness Testimony in Congressional Hearings [ audio ]
Written and spoken testimony by witnesses in congressional hearings.
60-Second Civics, Episode 32: Opening Statements in Congressional Hearings [ audio ]
The role of opening statements in congressional hearings.
60-Second Civics, Episode 35: Federalism [ audio ]
The beginning of our discussion of the American system of federalism.
60-Second Civics, Episode 36: Role of States in the Federal System [ audio ]
The history of the role of states in the American system.
60-Second Civics, Episode 37: States And The Federal Government [ audio ]
The role of states in the national government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 38: Constitution Prohibits Certain State Powers [ audio ]
State governing powers prohibited by the Constitution.
60-Second Civics, Episode 39: State Governing Powers [ audio ]
A discussion of governing powers left to the states by the Constitution.
60-Second Civics, Episode 40: Supremacy of Federal Law [ audio ]
A discussion of the supremacy of federal law.
60-Second Civics, Episode 41: State Constitutions [ audio ]
A discussion of state constitutions and bills of rights.
60-Second Civics, Episode 42: State Legislatures [ audio ]
A discussion of the legislative branch of state government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 43: Executive Branch of State Government [ audio ]
An examination of the executive branch of state government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 44: Judicial Branch of State Government [ audio ]
A discussion on the judicial branch of state government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 45: Local Governments [ audio ]
A discussion about the creation of local governments.
60-Second Civics, Episode 46: Municipalities [ audio ]
A discussion about municipalities.
60-Second Civics, Episode 47: Special Districts [ audio ]
A discussion about special districts.
60-Second Civics, Episode 48: Changing State Constitutions [ audio ]
How state constitutions have changed over the years.
60-Second Civics, Episode 49: State Constitutional Amendments [ audio ]
A discussion about state constitutional amendments.
60-Second Civics, Episode 4: George Washington and the Executive Branch [ audio ]
How George Washington's administration shaped the executive branch.
60-Second Civics, Episode 50: Federalism in Practice [ audio ]
The beginning of a discussion of how American federalism works in practice.
60-Second Civics, Episode 51: Regulation of Commerce [ audio ]
The conflict between Congress and the states over regulation of commerce.
60-Second Civics, Episode 52: Regulation of Drugs [ audio ]
How the Supreme Court reasserted the power of Congress to regulate the interstate market in drugs.
60-Second Civics, Episode 53: Grants-in-aid [ audio ]
How grant-in-aid programs have affected American federalism.
60-Second Civics, Episode 54: Grants-in-aid: The Great Depression [ audio ]
How grants-in-aid came to be used during the Great Depression.
60-Second Civics, Episode 55: Grants-in-aid: Growing Influence [ audio ]
The growing influence of federal grants-in-aid.
60-Second Civics, Episode 56: Grants-in-aid: Education Policy [ audio ]
A discussion of federal grants-in-aid and education policy.
60-Second Civics, Episode 57: States as Laboratories of Democracy [ audio ]
How the states act as testing grounds for democracy.
60-Second Civics, Episode 58: Initiatives [ audio ]
How the initiative process is conducted in the states.
60-Second Civics, Episode 5: George Washington and Executive Branch Authority [ audio ]
How George Washington's actions established the authority of the presidency.
60-Second Civics, Episode 8: The Creation of the Judicial Branch [ audio ]
Having provided context for the Supreme Court confirmation hearings for justice Sonia Sotomayor, over the span of a few weeks 60-Second Civics examined the judicial branch of the United States government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 9: Characteristics of the Federal Judiciary [ audio ]
Some of the characteristics of the federal judiciary.
60-Second Civics, Episode 2: George Washington and civilian control of the Milit [ audio ]
The man often called the father of our country, George Washington, established the principle that the military is subordinate to civilian government.
60-Second Civics, Episode 33: Witness Procedures During Congressional Hearings [ audio ]
Witness procedures and strategies during congressional hearings.
60-Second Civics, Episode 34: Questions and Closing Statements During Congressi [ audio ]
The conclusion of a discussion of congressional hearings by examining the questioning of witnesses and closing statements.
60-Second Civics, Episode 59: Referendum and Recall [ audio ]
How referendum and recall works in the states.
60-Second Civics, Episode 60: National Conference of State Legislatures [ audio ]
Concluding our discussion of American federalism by learning about the National Conference of State Legislatures.
Bureaucracy: A Controversial Necessity [ video ]
A video describing the American bureaucracy. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
Checks and Balances [ video ]
An explanation of checks and balances by Center on Congress.
Close Up Videos: How Congress Works - An Insider's View [ video ]
An inside look of the works of congress by Center on Congress.
Committee [ video ]
An explanation of committee by Center On Congress.
Deliberation [ video ]
An explanation of deliberation by Center On Congress.
Diversity [ video ]
A short video about the relationship between members of Congress and their constituencies. From the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
Elrod v. Burns (1976) [ audio ]
The opinion announcement of the case.
Executive Privilege and Delegation of Powers [ video ]
Executive privilege video by Annenberg Media.
Federal Budget Allocation [ video ]
An interactive animated presentation that introduces the concept of the federal budget. Students decide how to allocate a federal budget. Their allocations are compared to those of others. An interactive learning module from the Center on Congress at Indiana University. Page down to the bottom of the page and click on the "Federal Budget Allocation" icon.
Federalism [ video ]
An explanation of federalism by Center on Congress.
Federalism [ video ]
A video about the power of the federal government over state and local affairs. From the series The Constitution: That Delicate Balance. Produced in 1984 by Columbia University Seminars on Media and Society. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
Federalism: U.S. v. the States [ video ]
A video about the tension between federal and state authority. From the Democracy in America video series. Produced in 2003 by the Educational Film Center. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
Federalist 68 [ audio ]
A reading of Federalist 68 by Learn Out Loud.
Federalist 70 [ audio ]
A reading of Federalist 70 by Learn Out Loud.
Filibuster [ video ]
An explanation about filibusters by Center On Congress.
Fireside Chat [ audio ]
Listen to audio recordings of FDR's fireside chats by the American Presidency Project.
Global Politics: U.S.A. and the World [ video ]
A video about America and foreign policy by Annenberg Media.
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006) [ audio ]
The opinion announcement of the case.
House of Representatives [ video ]
A short video about the role of the House of Representatives. By the Center On Congress at Indiana University.
How a Bill Becomes Law [ video ]
A video about passing Bills into law by Center on Congress.
How a Member Decides to Vote [ video ]
Role of Congress video by Center on Congress.
Judicial Review: Constitutional Interpretation [ video ]
Part three of the Judicial Review series. Focuses on the "original intent" versus the "living constitution" methods of constitutional interpretation. This is referred to on pages 180-182 of the We the People text as "original intent or original history" versus "modernism or instrumentalism." From HowStuffWorks. Length: 1 min., 55 sec.
Key Congressional Leader [ video ]
A video about the key congressional leader by Center On Congress.
Kyllo v. United States (2001) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Kyllo v. United States (2001) [ audio ]
The opinion announcement of the case.
Legislatures: Laying Down the Law [ video ]
A video showing how diversity affects the legislative process. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
Legislatures: Laying Down the Law [ video ]
A video about the works of legislators by Annenberg Media.
Lobbying [ video ]
An explanation about lobbying by Center on Congress.
Louisiana v. Mississippi (1995) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Notable Members of Congress [ video ]
Role of Congress by Center On Congress.
Our Constitution: A Conversation [ video ]
In this video, Supreme Court justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Stephen Breyer discuss the importance of the Constitution and explain several basic principles of American constitutionalism. They answer student questions about separation of powers, the Court's modern relevance, federalism, liberty versus security, notable cases, decision-making in the Court. The link takes you to Annenberg's Sunnylands Classroom website, were the film can be watched in numerous file sizes, and where visitors can watch the film in numerous languages or read a transcript. Filmed in 2005. Length: 29 min., 7 sec.
Presidents: Grover Cleveland - First Term [ video ]
A video about President Cleveland by the History Channel.
Presidents: Grover Cleveland - Second Term [ video ]
A video about President Cleveland by the History Channel.
Presidents: James Garfield [ video ]
A video about President Garfield and his assassination by the History Channel.
Public Criticisms of Congress [ video ]
Role of Congress by Center on Congress.
Public Opinion: Voice of the People [ video ]
A video about public opinion and the role it has on government policy. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
Rapanos v. United States (2006) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Rapanos v. United States (2006) [ audio ]
The opinion announcement of the case.
Reagan and Foreign Policy [ video ]
A CSPAN video of a discussion about foreign policy during President Ronald Reagan's administration. Filmed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Length: 1 hr., 23 min.
Representation [ video ]
A video showing how Congress represents the people by the Center On Congress.
Reynolds v. Sims (1964) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Ronald Reagan [ video ]
Watch and listen to Reagan's Presidency by the American Presidency Project.
Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois (1990) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Senate [ video ]
A short video about the role of Senate. From the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
South Dakota v. Dole (1987) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
Statement on Signing the Social Security Act [ video ]
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Social Security Act by the American Presidency Project.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 [ video ]
Civil Rights Act video by PBS American Experience.
The Constitution: Fixed or Flexible? [ video ]
A video that examines whether the Constitution should be interpreted to meet the changing needs of the country. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
The Courts: Our Rule of Law [ video ]
A video about the role of courts in the American system of government. From Annenberg Media's Learner.org website. Registration and log-in required.
The Dynamic Legislative Process [ video ]
An interactive video about the legislative process by Center On Congress.
The Impact of Congress [ video ]
Role of Congress by Center on Congress.
The Importance of Civic Participation [ video ]
Role of Congress by Center On Congress.
The Many Roles of a Member of Congress [ video ]
Role of Congress by Center On Congress.
The Modern Presidency: Tools of Power [ video ]
The expansion of executive powers through the years by Annenberg Media
The Presidents: Teddy Roosevelt [ video ]
A video about Teddy Roosevelt's presidency by the History Channel.
The Role of a Supreme Court Justice [ audio ]
An audio discussion of the qualifications required to fill the role of a Supreme Court Justice. From KQED's Forum radio show. Recorded November 4, 2005.
Three Branch of Government [ video ]
An explanation about the three branches of government by Center on Congress.
Unit 4 Overview: We the People: The Citizen & the Constitution Level 3 Text [ audio ]
Scholars Margaret Branson, Sue Leeson, and Scott Casper present Unit 4 of the new We the People student text. Size: 6.3 mb. Length: 6 min, 50 sec.
United States v. Lopez (1995) [ audio ]
The oral argument of the case.
United States v. Lopez (1995) [ audio ]
The opinion announcement of United States v. Lopez (1995) from Oyez.org. Length: 5 min., 39 sec.
War Powers and Covert Action [ video ]
A video about the President's power with military by Annenberg Media.
What Does Congress Do? [ video ]
Discussion about the role of Congress. From the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
Why Does Congress matter? [ video ]
Discussion about the importance of Congress. From the Center on Congress at Indiana University.
Woodrow Wilson [ video ]
A video about the presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt by American President Life Portrait.
