FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Annie Stone, 703-217-1169
[email protected]
Philadelphia, PA (August 30, 2022) – The National Constitution Center (NCC) today announced the release of Constitution 101, a free, nonpartisan online curriculum on the U.S. Constitution. Constitution 101 is a 15-week curriculum for high school students, as well as a standalone self-guided course for learners of all ages, that explores the basic principles of American freedom and the core constitutional texts of American history, from the founding to today. Launching ahead of Constitution Day, September 16, 2022, the course is designed to meet state government standards in all 50 states.
Constitution 101 is modeled on the National Constitution Center’s proven framework for rigorous, nonpartisan constitutional education and the practice of civil dialogue. Grounded in the reading of primary sources, students will use documents from our new online Founders' Library containing nearly 170 historical texts and 50 landmark Supreme Court cases selected by leading American historians and constitutional scholars of diverse perspectives. The curriculum includes interactive features, allowing students to take online assessments and allowing educators to sync to their learning management systems.
“It’s so meaningful to offer Constitution 101 as a model nonpartisan core curriculum for what high school students and all Americans should know about the Constitution,” said Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center. “We’re also thrilled to a launch our new Founders’ Library of primary texts throughout American history, which will serve as the foundation for the National Constitution Center’s expanding catalogue of courses on the Constitution for years to come.”
“As civic knowledge remains dangerously low, giving high school students and adult learners the opportunity to think about the Constitution and the core principles of the American idea more deeply, more critically, and for themselves has never been more important,” said National Constitution Center Chief Learning Officer Kerry Sautner. “We ultimately seek to inspire a new generation of leaders who can credit their positive civic dispositions to engaging with Constitution 101, as well as a generation of teachers who are equipped to teach difficult constitutional issues using a trusted nonpartisan curriculum.”
Constitution 101 is divided into a comprehensive 15-module curriculum, each including interactive videos, classroom activities and guides, assessments, extended lessons, and enrichment activities. The modules are:
1. Constitutional Conversations and Civil Dialogue
2. Principles of the American Revolution
3. Road to the Convention Principles of the American Constitution, 1776-1787
4. Constitutional Convention and Ratification
5. The Bill of Rights
6. Separation of Powers and Federalism
7. The Legislative Branch: How Congress Works
8. The Presidency and Executive Power
9. The Judicial System and Current Cases
10. The First Amendment
11. The Fourth Amendment: Privacy in a Digital Age, Policing in America, and Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
12. Slavery in America: From the Founding to America's Second Founding
13. Voting Rights in America
14. The 14th Amendment: Battles for Freedom and Equality
15. The Constitution as Amended: Article V and a Walking Tour of America’s 27 Constitutional Amendments
Constitution 101 and the Founders’ Library are accessible on the National Constitution Center’s recently redesigned website, constitutioncenter.org, prominently featured with additional educator-specific resources and increased opportunities to search by topic.
Constitution 101 and the Founders’ Library are made possible through the generous support of the Achelis and Bodman Foundation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, Mauree Jane and Mark Perry, and Cindy and Sheldon Stone.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
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About the National Constitution Center
The National Constitution Center in Philadelphia brings together people of all ages and perspectives, across America and around the world, to learn about, debate, and celebrate the greatest vision of human freedom in history, the U.S. Constitution. A private, nonprofit organization, the Center serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” As the Museum of We the People, the Center brings the Constitution to life for visitors of all ages through interactive programs and exhibits. As America’s Town Hall, the Center brings the leading conservative and liberal thought leaders together to debate the Constitution on all media platforms. As a Headquarters for Civic Education, the Center delivers the best educational programs and online resources that inspire citizens and engage all Americans in learning about the U.S. Constitution. For more information, call 215-409-6700 or visit constitutioncenter.org.
