October's Scholar Exchanges will focus on elections.
Why do we have an Electoral College? What are the president's powers as outlined in Article II? What does the Constitution say about voting? Find out the answers to these questions, and more, this month with a Scholar Exchange.
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Part lecture and part lively conversation, these sessions are open to the public so that students, teachers, and parents can join in a constitutional discussion with the Center's scholars.
In this week's sessions, students will:
- Examine the reasons why the Electoral College was created
- Explore the history of the Electoral College, including attempts at reforming it
- Evaluate current constitutional questions on the Electoral College, including the unanimous 2020 Supreme Court case about faithless electors
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Learning About the Electoral College
- Monday, October 5, and Wednesday, October 7
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 9
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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Article II: The Presidency and the Executive Branch
Week of October 12
With less than a month to go until the 2020 presidential election, students attending this session will explore the powers of the president. The class will take a close look at Article II of the Constitution, which addresses the presidency and the executive branch. Students will cover the role of the president written into the Constitution, major Supreme Court battles over presidential power, and how the president’s powers have expanded over time.
- Monday, October 12, and Wednesday, October 14
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 16
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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Voting Rights Amendments
Week of October 19
In this session, students learn about voting rights in America through a historical exploration of the right to vote in America. Where does the Constitution protect the right to vote? What role did the amendment process play in shaping voting rights? What has the Supreme Court said about the right to vote over time?
- Monday, October 19, and Wednesday, October 21
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 23
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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Constitutional Battles of the Branches
Week of October 26
What happens when elected officials act outside of their constitutional bounds? Our Constitution set up a system of checks and balances to ensure that no one branch of government would become too powerful, but where did this idea come from and how has this been tested over time in America? From Andrew Jackson and the battle over the country’s national bank to modern conversations around COVID-19, students will engage in a lively and fast-paced conversation.
- Monday, October 26, and Wednesday, October 28
- Middle School Session – 12 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- High School and College Session – 2 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
- Friday, October 30
- All Ages Session – 1 p.m. EDT
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Register here.
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We know that changing class schedules and restrictions can make planning lessons more difficult this year. To help with that, the National Constitution Center posts recordings of all previous Scholar Exchanges so teachers can use them at a time that works best for them.
View the middle school sessions, high school and college sessions, and all ages sessions here. Need the corresponding resources for each session? Find resource briefs and slides for each topic here.
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These sessions include your class, a scholar, and a moderator—and are available on any of the topics previously discussed in a public Scholar Exchange. Private Scholar Exchanges are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at a time that works best for you and your students. Complete a survey here for more information or to register your class. A member of the education team will contact you to help with the planning process.
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Classroom Exchanges connect middle and high school students across the United States for virtual discussions about the Constitution. These sessions are moderated by National Constitution Center scholars, federal judges, and master teachers, but led by student voice. Participating teachers receive lesson plans on the content of the discussion and on civil dialogue techniques, as well as educational resources from the Center's Interactive Constitution.
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The National Constitution Center's education team is here to help with any of our online resources. Email [email protected] with questions or comments on how we can help you and your students with your remote learning needs.
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