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Lesson Plan
"Should Local Governments be Permitted to Restrict Artistic and Cultural Exchanges from a Foreign Country?"
Purpose
The purpose of this lesson plan is to allow students to explore whether local governments should be permitted to restrict trade and commerce, including commerce on informational or expressive material such as books, films, dance and music from a foreign country.
Grade
9-12
Objectives
1. Students should be able to:Identify relevant provisions of the U.S. Constitution
2. Explain how these provisions apply to the county resolution
3. Identify examples of how the resolution may affect life and commerce within Miami-Dade County.
Materials
1. Text of the U.S. Constitution
Article I, Sec. 8: "The Congress shall have Power ... To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations .... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, ....
Article VI: "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Persuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, and Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding."
First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech ...."
Fourteenth Amendment: "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ...."
Activities
1. After reading relevant portions of the U.S. Constitution, write an essay applying those provisions to the Miami-Dade County resolution.
2. Have students separate into groups and pretend they are members of various different cultural organizations. Discuss what the economic, social and political consequences might be for your organization if you stand to violate the county law by planning to present a Cuban performance.
