These materials are designed to help teachers of U.S. history, government, and related courses use Basic Readings in U.S. Democracy in their courses. Basic Readings includes the primary source documents, brief introductions to each document, and some suggestions for additional readings. It is aimed primarily at the reader, i.e., the student. The teacher's guide provides tools for the teacher to use in the classroom.
For each unit in Basic Readings, the guide offers four tools:
First, the guide provides a summary statement of the major themes to be found in each unit. This will help the teacher to organize lectures, tests, and discussions based on the documents in that unit.
Second, the guide includes a series of discussion questions. A wide variety of questions about each unit is offered, so that teachers may choose the ones appropriate to the level and knowledge of his or her students. In each unit there are questions designed not only to provoke thought and discussion about how democracy evolved and works in the United States, but also how these concepts might or might not apply to the native lands of the students.
Third, this guide offers two or more scenarios and/or exercises per unit, in which the students can try to apply the basic ideas of the unit to particular fact situations. In some instances the scenarios are based on actual events. In others, the Supreme Court subsequently ruled or the Congress acted on the problem, and actions taken are discussed at the end of the exercise.
Fourth, the guide provides suggestions for some additional books which were not already listed in Basic Readings. These volumes are ideal for supplemental reading for students. All of the works listed are available in paperback editions.
We would appreciate learning whether this guide has been of help to you, and if there are ways that it might be improved or expanded to make it more effective. If you have comments, please pass them on to the Study of the United States Branch, Department of State.
Melvin I. Urofsky
Professor of Constitutional History
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia
