****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
The content is for the whole family and helps us better understand this governing document, and cases that have been interpreted from it. Excellent!I am teaching a government class for a group of homeschooled students and thought this would be a great complement. I was kind of disappointed because the website claims it is appropriate for 7th grade and higher, yet my 10th graders are struggling to follow it.Don't get me wrong, the content is great, but it feels as if it jumps in too quickly to some very complex issues. It would be Much better as a second semester after a thorough government class.I was able to find the video I needed at much cheaper price here. I am so glad I got it.I thought that this course in Constitutional Literacy would provide my students (and myself) with a working knowledge of what is in the Constitution and perhaps some of the history of how it came about. I think this DVDS series would be better titled "Discussions on the Constitution: How the Court System and Congress have Sabotaged Original Intent" or something. It is (after watching the first few lessons) really more of a commentary than a class. I happen to agree with that commentary, but would have preferred more information and less opinion.I only watched the first three lessons (out of 24) but I did not feel any confidence that further lessons would be much different than the first few. This course is really at an upper level high school or perhaps early college level. It requires prior knowledge of the subject matter its title implies. Lengthy, difficult historic quotes are included with little explanation. The Constitution is referred to and quoted, but not really taught.The Introduction sets the stage that the course is more about how far the courts and congress have strayed from the framer's original intent. The second lesson implies that the course is about to start at the beginning (Article 1 Section 1) but actually, the first question the narrator asks is, "What do you think is the most important bit of the Constitution?" A student can hardly answer without a good working knowledge of the Constitution. He then goes on to make a case as to why Article 1, Section 1 is most important, but rather than spend much time on it, he spends the bulk of the time demonstrating that Congress does not follow it.Michael Farris is in an ideal position to produce the course I'm looking for and the one this DVD implies it is. It's disappointing that it is not what I had hoped. I will have to continue looking for an introductory course on the U.S. Constitution.Constitutional Literacy with Dr. Michael Farris is a video course to teach Americans their Constitutional rights with the intent of defending liberty. Farris explains that the project is more than a video series. "It is a movement to revive the American government under the Constitution."Having been involved in several cases at the US Supreme Court as a United States Constitutional lawyer, Dr. Farris is concerned about our eroding freedoms. He has produced several books, articles, and lectures teaching Constitutional Law, and Constitutional Literacy is the result of his 30 years of experience. Those who complete this course will know more about the Constitution than the majority of lawyers and legislators who create our laws.Constitutional Literacy is a handsomely produced, 25-episode video curriculum on five DVDs. In each episode, Dr. Farris instructs on a specific aspect of Constitutional law. Beautiful, patriotic, and classical-style artwork illustrates Dr. Farris' lectures; and a masterful, epic soundtrack accompanies the production. Episode titles include "Commerce and General Welfare Clauses," "International Law," "The Powers of Congress," "Is the National Debt Unconstitutional?" "Freedom of Speech and Press," and many more.Watching Constitutional Literacy, I realize how grossly our federal government is overstepping its bounds and moving us closer toward tyranny. For example, Dr. Farris explains that if we would follow the original intent of the General Welfare Clause, our country would not be experiencing its current financial crisis. Farris says, "All of the issues that are bankrupting the US government are within the competence of the states-" such as health care, education, and welfare.The greatest threat to American civil liberty is our Congress and Federal government acting beyond the scope of their enumerated powers. The responsibility remains with us citizens to ensure our freedom. Farris says that if we want to preserve our liberty, it is up to us to know what's going on, to know the Constitution, to know the limitations on the power of Congress, and to insist that our leaders obey. Our allegiance should be to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States. This video series enlightens American citizens of their Constitutional rights and prepares them well for its defense.--excerpt from an article published in CHOIS Connection, a magazine for Idaho home educators.Out of five dvds (25 segments), I'm on the second one, episode 8. Each episode is 15-20 minutes long and deals with just one aspect of the Constitution or federal law or state law, etc. Michael Farris presents each section succinctly. Historic and modern Supreme Court cases abound and are presented clearly. He discusses original intent and original meaning, showing how each are used in determining constitutional law.This series demonstrates the importance of Americans knowing our history and our rights, as documented in the Constitution, in order to preserve our freedom and prevent our government from becoming tyrannical. This is probably one of the easiest ways to learn about both--our history and our rights.Don't count on learning any of this in high school or college--it is up to each individual to get her own education at her own expense. This is money well spent on a worthwhile education in constitutional law. I highly recommend this set.This dvd series provides a fundamental understanding of the Constitution in a clear presentation. After watching this series (along with taking his course), my appreciation for the wisdom our Founding Fathers multiplied and I developed a greater understanding for my role in our government as a member of We the People. Every citizen should watch this.
