Welcome to The Dirksen Congressional
Center's Communicator- a web-based e-newsletter providing
educators with news and ideas to enhance civic education and
improve the understanding of Congress -- http://www.webcommunicator.org.
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NEWS FROM THE DIRKSEN CENTER
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The American Political Science Association Online
The Dirksen Congressional Center's Web Suite -- http://www.dirksencongressionalcenter.org --
has been selected as the 2002 winner of the APSA Information
Technology Politics Section's Best Web Site in the Professional
category. The APSA committee found The Center's Web suite to
be "an outstanding example of a site that provides comprehensive
content utilizing a clean design that [is] easy to navigate while
providing a variety of teaching materials and activities." An
announcement regarding the award is available on the APSA Section
Web site at: http://www.apsanet.org/~itp/.
Bigchalk -- The Education Network
Congress for Kids -- http://www.congressforkids.net --
received a citation from Bigchalk -- The Education Network and
was listed in their top 8 Web sites that represent the very best
online academic research destinations.
THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT
The landmark Brown vs. Board of Education (1954) case
successfully used the courts to battle discrimination. (Refer
to our July 2002 issue of the Communicator --
http://www.webcommunicator.org/site%20resources/archives/july2002.htm.) But
other tactics were needed to move the country and the government
into action, too. The Dirksen Congressional Center's Web suite
contains many resources about the civil disobedience, boycotts,
and protest demonstrations that created a climate of opinion
which led to legislative steps to end discrimination.
Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. championed civil disobedience.
Scroll through the chronology of the civil rights struggle and
jump to descriptions and photographs of key events, including
the King boycott of the bus service in Montgomery, Alabama, in
1955. Included as a related Web site in the CongressLink lesson
plan --"How a Bill Becomes Law: The Case of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964" -- is an ongoing project, Timeline of the American
Civil Rights Movement, supported by students at Western Michigan
University's Department of Political Science. Find the Civil
Rights Chronology link at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_lp_civilrights.htm.
The Civil Rights Act of 1964 continues to shape public policy
today. For historical context, read what Senator Everett McKinley
Dirksen had to say about civil rights bills early in 1964. Read
the document that his staff kept on hand to help answer constituent
requests for his views. Find Civil Rights Legislation, January
22, 1964 on CongressLink at: http://www.congresslink.org/print_basics_histmats_civilrights64_doc4.htm.
To learn more about the 1965 Voting Rights Act and how the elimination
of literacy tests significantly increased the number of African
Americans and other minorities who could vote, visit the AboutGovernment
site. Find The Voting Rights Act of 1965 presented by
The United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division,
Voting Selection at: http://www.aboutgovernment.org/print_elections.htm.
Teachers, if you're looking for a fun way to teach your students
about the civil rights era from 1954-1968, have them take an
online interactive quiz. Find Civil Rights on Congress
for Kids at: http://www.congressforkids.net/games/makinglaws/2_makinglaws.htm.
Featured Project
Through the Robert H. Michel Civic Education Grants Program,
one of three grant programs offered, The Center supports the
work of others who share our interests. The Center would like
to congratulate Michael Gizzi from Mesa State College in Grand
Junction, Colorado. Michael received a $3,728 grant his project
entitled Web-based Simulations of the Legislative Process.
These two online simulations -- both focusing on the development
of energy policy -- will bring the legislative process to life
for introductory college students. To learn more about this project
and others funded by The Center visit: http://www.dirksencenter.org/grants_overview.htm.
All the "Right" Moves
Trivia: What was the name of the organization that King
and other clergy founded?
1. A leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims
and promises in order to gain power is called a...
A) Muslim
B) separatist
C) demagogue
D) racist
2. The Black Panther Party promoted _____ _____ and sometimes
armed themselves to help achieve that goal.
Answers to July's issue of Fun, Facts, and Trivia link
here: http://www.webcommunicator.org/funfactstrivia0702ans.htm.
Back to school soon! Encourage your colleagues to subscribe
to the Communicator. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions,
contact Cindy Koeppel at ckoeppel@dirksencenter.org.
Your feedback makes a difference!
If you experience any problem, send an e-mail to Cindy Koeppel
at ckoeppel@dirksencenter.org. |
