Honors American Government
Reading Across the Curriculum
The Patriot Act:
Should the Government Be Allowed to Use Electronic Surveillance?
SSCG6 The student will demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights.
Directions: After September 11, 2001, a united Congress passed the USA Patriot Act, which gave the Justice Department powers to track down and prosecute suspected terrorists. Many people and organizations came to criticize the Patriot Act because they felt as though the Act infringed on citizens’ due process rights and certain freedoms granted citizens in the Bill of Rights.
This Reading Across the Curriculum summary should focus on the following topic: The Patriot Act; should the Government be allowed to use electronic surveillance on its citizens. Write a one page summary addressing this topic. In your conclusion, tell me whether you agree with the Act, and whether you would like to see the Act renewed or let it expire.
Type your summary in Google Docs and e-mail your completed paper to . I will print your summary and return it to you and you will then log it and staple it to your RAC logsheet. At the top of your paper, type the title as it is written above – double space and then begin your summary. No more than a double space between lines and paragraphs; use 12 point font. Do not cut and paste as that is plagiarism and will result in a 0.
Remember to begin with a good, clear topic sentence that introduces what it is that you are writing about. Do not take shortcuts and proofread your work for clarity and errors. Remember, you know what it is that you intend to communicate in your writing, but can other people clearly understand your position simply by the information that you give. Don’t forget to cite your sources at the end of your summary. Again, failure to do so is considered plagiarism at the college level.