Approaches to Teaching the U.S. Constitution: Developing Students’ Critical Views

• In Event: Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Approaches to Teaching the Social Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this poster presentation is to discuss two approaches to teach the U.SC constitution from a critical perspective: originalism and the living constitution. Implementing qualitative methods, the aim of this research is extrapolate two well-known approaches in law field to the social studies education field to answer the question what is the understanding of pre-service and in-service teachers about teaching the constitution? Preliminary findings reveal that using these two approaches has the potential to develop students’ critical thinking skills as well as to examine issues related to social justice. Hence the author argues that if teachers understand these two approaches of the constitution they can promote a critical understanding of our Constitution in a pluralistic and democratic society.

Author

• Alberto Lopez-Carrasquillo, Northeastern Illinois University