The Constitution in Crisis

About the Course

The Constitution in Crisis

Grades 7-10
CTY-Level
LIVE
History and Social Science

What rights would you give up in order to feel safe? What safety would you give up to protect your rights? How does a democratic republic, with rights reserved for both the federal and state governments, create a coherent response to a crisis? Drawing upon a variety of documents, explore U.S. policy decisions during crises such as the Civil War and 9/11 and their long-term effects. In a pandemic, for instance, is a church or a gun store an essential service? Who decides? Likewise, is government use of an app that tracks your temperature and movement to benefit public health an unconstitutional act of search and seizure?

By engaging in discussions of legal and political theory, research, debates, and analytical writing, deepen and sharpen your understanding of law and politics—particularly how the tension between freedom and security often changes the power balance between governments and citizens.

Fall and Spring time commitment: 4-5 hours per week (1-hour of class time, 3-4 hours of independent work).
Summer time commitment: 12-15 hours per week (3-hours of class time, 9-12 hours of independent work).

Course Overview

What we'll do

We will work through units, each containing synchronous and asynchronous activities. You will meet with your instructor and classmates for synchronous group meetings via Zoom to discuss new topics, collaborate on small tasks, share opinions, and reflect on the assigned asynchronous activities. You will complete several assigned activities during asynchronous work time between sessions. Throughout the course, your instructor will provide feedback and assistance via Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

What we’ll learn

How to explain historical and ideological origins of the American Constitution
How to evaluate the efficacy of the original Constitution
How to appraise the Constitution’s ability to resolve conflicts over power and authority
How to evaluate the impact of slavery on political, social, and economic crises that led to the Civil War
How to assess the extent to which activism and reform have democratized American elections
How to evaluate the Constitution’s gender protections
How to assess historical and contemporary efforts to mitigate racial inequality through Constitutional amendment and interpretation
How to debate the prioritization of civil liberty or national security in American society
How to prescribe solutions for contemporary Constitutional crises

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

Analyze the dynamic history of the American Constitution through analysis of primary and secondary sources
Evaluate the extent to which the history of Constitutional crises provides context for contemporary political issues
Explain the ways significant changes to the Constitution have affected American political and social life
Assess the efficacy of Constitutional discourse and reform in addressing social and political crises
Evaluate the extent to which the Constitution has both inhibited and enhanced equity under the law and in society throughout American history
Prescribe solutions to Constitutional crises using historical and contemporary evidence

How we'll measure learning

Instructors will evaluate student work using marking guides and rubrics and provide detailed constructive feedback on assignments, projects, and other course activities.

This course is

ungraded.

Classes

Register for an Online course by selecting an open class below. If no open classes are listed, then course enrollment is currently closed. Note: You will need to have an active CTY Account to complete registration through MyCTY.

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays

Jun 16 - Jul 3

3 weeks

12:00 p.m. (ET)

$1,365

Enroll

Testing and Prerequisites

	Math	Verbal
Required Level	Not required	CTY-Level

Check your eligibility using existing test scores If you do not have existing test scores:

Students must achieve qualifying scores on an advanced assessment to be eligible for CTY programs. If you don’t have qualifying scores, you have several different testing options. We’ll help you find the right option for your situation.

Cost and Financial Aid

Tuition
- Varies
Application fee
- Nonrefundable Application Fee - $15 (Waived for financial aid applicants)
- Nonrefundable International Fee - $20 (outside US only)

Financial Aid

We have concluded our financial aid application review process for Academic Year 2023-2024 Online Programs (Courses with start dates July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024). Our application for Academic Year 2024-2025 Online Programs is expected to open in January. We encourage those who may need assistance in the future to apply for aid as early as possible.

Learn More

Course Materials

Please acquire all course materials by the course start date, unless noted as perishable. Items marked as “perishable” should not be acquired until the student needs them in the course. If you have questions about these materials or difficulty locating them, please contact [email protected].

Students will be notified by email of any required course materials 2-3 weeks prior to the course start date.

Technical Requirements

This course requires a computer with high-speed Internet access and an up-to-date web browser such as Chrome or Firefox. You must be able to communicate with the instructor via email. Visit the Technical Requirements and Support page for more details.

This course uses a virtual classroom for instructor-student communication. The classroom works on standard computers with the Zoom desktop client, and on tablets or handhelds that support the Zoom Mobile app. Recorded meetings can only be viewed on a computer with the Zoom desktop client installed. The Zoom desktop client and Zoom Mobile App are both free to download.

Our online History and Social Science courses include the study of economics, U.S. history and government, world history, and psychology. Reading and writing are at the heart of all our offerings. Courses for older students cover material typically found in introductory college-level classes, while younger scholars enjoy studying world history and geography. All courses are guided by expert instructors who connect with you through virtual class meetings and interactive review workshops. Whichever course you choose, you’ll gain important insights into the inner workings of government, world civilizations, global culture, and the human mind.

Dig into World History and Geography

In the newly created Preparation for AP World History and Geography Eastern Hemisphere and Preparation for AP World History and Geography Western Hemisphere courses, students explore fascinating historical concepts of the past through historical analysis, engaging discussions, and dynamic live sessions. Students meet with their instructor and peers each week to investigate transformative world events and discuss their thoughts with one another. Taking these courses will help students prepare for the challenge of AP History courses.

Meet our History and Social Sciences Instructors

I enjoy building relationships with students, facilitating their learning, and helping them achieve a refined understanding of the complex world around us. Using a high energy, enthusiastic approach to learning allows me to deeply connect with my students while having lots of fun!

Alejandro Lozano

History and Social Sciences Instructor

Teaching AP World History: Modern, I'm frequently astonished at how natural it is for students from both the United States and across the world to meet and learn about a global subject from not just their instructor but, just as importantly, so many different student perspectives!

Tyler Meinhart

History and Social Sciences Instructor

Online Programs