Social Studies Concepts*

The following social studies concepts can be taught or extended through the study of the life and legacy of Robert H. Jackson.

Citizenship
Citizenship means membership in a community (neighborhood, school, region, state, nation, world) with its accompanying rights, responsibilities, and dispositions.
Civil and human rights
These rights include those basic political, economic, and social rights that all human beings are entitled to, such as the right to life, liberty, and the security of person, and a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and his family. Civil rights are expressed in the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights and its amendments. Human rights are inalienable and expressed by various United Nations documents including the United Nations Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (adopted December 10, 1948). Also see: www.un.org/rights.
Civic values
These values refer to important principles that serve as the foundation for our democratic form of government. They include justice, honesty, self-discipline, due process, equality, majority rule with respect for minority rights, and respect for self, others, and property.
Decision making
Decision making means the processes used to "monitor and influence public and civic life by working with others, clearly articulating ideals and interests, building coalitions, seeking consensus, negotiating compromise, and managing conflict." (Taken from: Civics Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress, NAEP Civics Consensus Project, The National Assessment Governing Board, United States Department of Education, p. 18.)
Due Process of Law
The right of every citizen to be protected against arbitrary action by government as stated in the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments. "Due process also means that every person is entitled to certain safeguards that guarantee that a trial is fair and impartial. Some basic due process rights include the right to be assisted by a lawyer, the right to a neutral decision maker (judge or jury), the right to know the charges against you, the right to question witnesses against you, and the right to present testimony in your favor." (Taken from: "Using Literature to Teach the Rule of Law," Social Education, May/June 2008, p. 166. www.socialstudies.org)
Genocide
Genocide means the deliberate and systematic destruction of a religious, racial, national, or cultural group. Genocide "involves the intent to destroy, in whole or in part, any one of these groups by killing members of the group, causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group, and/or forcibly transferring children of the group to another group." [Taken from: Leo Kuper, Genocide (New York: Penguin Books, 1981), p. 19.]
Government
Government means the "formal institutions and processes of a politically organized society with authority to make, enforce, and interpret laws and other binding rules about matters of common interest and concern. Government also refers to the group of people, acting in formal political institutions at national, state, and local levels, who exercise decision making power or enforce laws and regulations." (Taken from: Civics Framework for the 1998 National Assessment of Educational Progress, NAEP Civics Consensus Project, The National Assessment Governing Board, United States Department of Education, p. 19.)
Justice
Justice means the fair, equal, proportional, or appropriate treatment rendered to individuals in interpersonal, societal, or government interactions. Justice also requires the use of fair procedures in gathering information and making decision.
Judicial Review
"Judicial review is the power of the United States Supreme Court to review and overturn acts of government that violate the United States Constitution." (Taken from: John J. Patrick, The Bill of Rights: A History in Documents, Oxford University Press, 2003, p. 77.)

(* Adapted from: Social Studies Resource Guide with Core Curriculum, New York State Education Department, 1999, pp. 8-11.)