Conversation starters are short, easily read text or images that are meant to be thought-provoking. They have been selected to illuminate issues, raise or explore areas of conflict, highlight ideas associated with each Conversation topic, and to foster conversation and ongoing dialogue. Accompanying each starter is a set of focus questions designed to open discussion about the topic and related issues. We have also identified resources specific to each starter designed to provide further information or context. The starters require no preparation or study by participants in advance of the discussion, although the suggested resources might be useful for such purposes.
The Preamble
Starter 1: The Preamble, U.S. Constitution
Starter 2: We the People
Starter 3: "We...do."
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Starter 1: DNA Proof
Starter 2: Trop v. Dulles
Starter 3: Roper v. Simmons
War Powers
Starter 1: Checkout
Starter 2: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer
Starter 3: The Federalist No. 4, John Jay
Separation of Powers
Starter 1: The Federalist No. 48, James Madison
Starter 2: Hamdi et al. v. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, et al.
Starter 3: Letter from President Eisenhower to Senator John Stennis (D-MS), October 7, 1957
The Advice and Consent of the Senate
Starter 1: The Framers and Advice and Consent
Starter 2: Advice and Consent Viewed from the Bench
Starter 3: Advice and Consent in a Democracy
An Establishment of Religion
Starter 1: Letter from Thomas Jefferson
Starter 2: Dissent in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Starter 3: Wall Between Church and State
Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
Starter 1: Important Notice for U.S. Citizens
Starter 2: Illinois v. Caballes
Starter 3: "Give Me Your Metal Detectors."
The Preamble
Starter 1: The Preamble, U.S. Constitution
Starter 2: We the People
Starter 3: "We...do."
Cruel and Unusual Punishment
Starter 1: DNA Proof
Starter 2: Trop v. Dulles
Starter 3: Roper v. Simmons
War Powers
Starter 1: Checkout
Starter 2: Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer
Starter 3: The Federalist No. 4, John Jay
Separation of Powers
Starter 1: The Federalist No. 48, James Madison
Starter 2: Hamdi et al. v. Rumsfeld, Secretary of Defense, et al.
Starter 3: Letter from President Eisenhower to Senator John Stennis (D-MS), October 7, 1957
The Advice and Consent of the Senate
Starter 1: The Framers and Advice and Consent
Starter 2: Advice and Consent Viewed from the Bench
Starter 3: Advice and Consent in a Democracy
An Establishment of Religion
Starter 1: Letter from Thomas Jefferson
Starter 2: Dissent in Zelman v. Simmons-Harris
Starter 3: Wall Between Church and State
Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
Starter 1: Important Notice for U.S. Citizens
Starter 2: Illinois v. Caballes
Starter 3: "Give Me Your Metal Detectors."
