Each year on September 17th, all educational institutions in the United States pause to celebrate the oldest, active Constitution in the world today. English professor, Scott Coykendall, coordinator of PSU campus events this year, has focused on the First Amendment and the five freedoms it guarantees:
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Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech; or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble; and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Events on campus planned for Monday September 17th at the HUB include:
To learn more about The Constitution in the United States today read The Knight Foundation 2006 Follow-up Survey. This study of high school students found both support and skepticism. While students supported the freedom of the press and their rights to publish what they want in student newspapers, they also believed that the First Amendment, in general, went too far in the rights it guarantees. This follow up survey of a more extensive 2004 Future of the First Amendment Study, showed an increase in the number of students taking classes in the Constitution, and a greater understanding of the rights it grants to United States citizens.
