Update on Project ’87

Project ’87, the joint effort of the Ameri­ can Historical Association and the American Political Science Association for the Bicentennial of the Constitution, is moving ahead at full throttle, prepar­ing for bicentennial events in 1987, 1988, and 1989.

Project ’87 initiated its efforts with support for scholarship, intending to encourage the translation of scholarly works into materials useful for educa­tors and for the public. Now, Project ’87 has available an array of materials for these audiences. [See below for prices.]

A twelve-poster exhibit on the origin  of the Constitution, created by a task­ force chaired by Joan R. Challinor, is particularly suited for community insti­tutions like libraries and courthouses. Called “The Blessings of Liberty,” the exhibit combines strong graphic images and brief texts, written and reviewed by constitutional scholars. A User’s Guide accompanies the posters; it includes, in addition to other resources, an essay written by Mary K. Tachau that en­larges on the poster texts, and specific classroom lessons for elementary, junior high and high school grades, designed by Helen Carey and Judith Greenberg, educational consultants who specialize in the Constitution. The poster exhibit has been officially recognized by the national Commission on the Bicentenni­al of the United States Constitution.

Lessons on the Constitution, by John J. Patrick and Richard C. Remy, a set of sixty lessons to be used by high school students to supplement existing curricu­lum materials, is now available in its second printing. These lessons provide significant additions to standard text­ book treatments and they will prove useful beyond the bicentennial era. Sup­ported initially by the National Endow­ment for the Humanities, they are pub­lished jointly by Project ’87 and the Social Science Education Consortium.

Project ’87’s quarterly magazine, this Constitution, continues to offer articles by scholars written for the public and a clearinghouse of information about oth­er bicentennial programs. The National Endowment for the Humanities sup­ ports its free distribution to planners of programs for the Bicentennial. A selec­tion of articles from the first twelve issues of the magazine has been pub­lished by Project ’87 and Congressional Quarterly, Inc.

Five of the series of Bicentennial Es­says on the Constitution, published by the AHA under the direction of Her­man Belz, are now also available.

Other materials will be available in 1987. Two educational programs are now in development. The Agency for Instructional Technology, in collabora­tion with Project ’87, is producing a series of six half-hour television programs on the Constitution, suitable for junior and senior high classes. Project ’87, the International University Con­sortium and Maryland Public Broad­ casting are jointly creating a distant­ learner course on the Constitution, ac­ companied by eight half-hour television programs.

In 1986, Project ’87  inaugurated the James Madison Fellowships with the support of the William and Flora P. Hewlett Foundation and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. After an inten­sive three-week summer institute on the Constitution, each of the participating secondary school teachers will create a local program for the bicentennial in his or her community. Teachers are invited to apply for the 1987 fellowship round. Major public events are planned for May 1987 at Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia, and fall 1987 in Virginia, to commemorate the opening and closing of the Constitution­al Convention, including public forums in conjunction with the League of Wom­en Voters.

For further information, contact: Project ’87, 1527 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20036; (202) 483-2512.

How to Order Project ’87 Materials

Lessons on the Constitution: Supplements to High School Courses in American History, Government, and Civics, by John J. Patrick and Richard C. Remy, should be or­dered from the SSEC, 855 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302. Single copies are $19.50, including postage and handling, prepaid. For larger orders, write, or call 303/492-8154.

“The Blessings of Liberty” twelve­ poster exhibit on the Constitution, is available in both a mounted and an unmounted version. Single sets of the mounted version cost $110; the un­mounted version is $70. Orders must be prepaid. Discounts are available for larger orders. Order from Project ’87.

this Constitution, Project ’87’s quarterly magazine, is available free to planners of bicentennial programs. Other indi­viduals may subscribe for $10 per year. AHA and APSA members can order at the reduced rate of $8 per year. Order from Project ’87. Payment must accom­pany subscription.

The single volume of selected essays from this Constitution can be ordered from Congressional Quarterly, Inc., 1414 22nd Street, NW, Washington, DC. Single copies cost $23.95 each (plus sales tax for VA and DC residents). For larger orders, write to Congressional Quarterly, Inc.