Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment

This accessible and authoritative introduction tells the American story of religious liberty from its colonial beginnings to the latest Supreme Court cases. The authors analyze closely the formation of the First Amendment religion clauses and describe the unique and enduring principles of the American experiment in religious freedom - liberty of conscience, free exercise of religion, religious equality, religious pluralism, separation of church and state, and no establishment of religion. Successive chapters map all of the 240+ Supreme Court cases on religious freedom - covering the free exercise of religion; the roles of government and religion in education; the place of religion in public life; and the interaction of religious organizations and the state. The concluding reflections argue that protecting religious freedom is critical for democratic order and constitutional rule of law, even if it needs judicious balancing with other fundamental rights and state interests. Clear, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and balanced, this classic volume is an ideal classroom text. This new 5th edition addresses fully the new hot-button issues and cases on religious freedom versus sexual liberty; religious worship in the time of COVID; freedom of conscience and exemption claims; state aid to religion; religious monuments and ceremonies in public life; and the rights and limits of religious groups.

History

Nichols, Joel A.

Witte, John

Garnett, Richard W.

World

Oxford University Press

Review\n"This magisterial revision of Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment is an accessible and authoritative guide through the remarkable but tortuous history of America's unique approach to religious freedom. Clear without over-simplification, comprehensive without pedantry, it portrays a system that enabled the United States to become a society where members of all religions and no religion could not only live together in relative harmony but flourish." -- Mary Ann Glendon, Learned Hand Professor of Law emerita, Harvard University\n"This book by John Witte and Joel Nichols is probably the best combination that exists of historical background, theoretical understanding, and legal doctrines of the religion clauses. It allows scholars, students, and other citizens to grasp the history behind the clauses without undertaking full-scale research on their own. The book is also a superb source to understand modern controversies and how courts are dealing with them." --Kent Greenawalt, University Professor, Columbia Law School\n"In evenhanded and clear prose, Witte and Nichols provide a clear and comprehensive history of religious liberty in the United States. Broad in scope, updated with the latest developments, and supplemented with impressive appendices that catalog state constitutional provisions and Supreme Court decisions, this text offers cogent analysis from leading scholars of law and religion. Already a trusted and valuable classroom resource, this book will also enlighten those seeking a deeper understanding of the contours of this important topic."--Amy E. Black, Professor of Political Science, Wheaton College\n"The authors provide clear description of complicated case law and public policy for students and citizens. They reveal patterns and principles on a subject often caricatured by wild generalizations and widespread confusion. Academics and experts across a range of fields and professions will appreciate their fine analysis and comprehensive scholarship. The authors refute a weak postmodernist critique of religious freedom and offer a provocative perspective on the history of liberty of conscience."--Reading Religion\n"In the inevitably contentious field of church-state constitutional issues in America, it is rare to find a volume that is as accessible, thoughtful, and measured as Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment by John Witte, Jr. and Joel A. Nichols. Their remarkable ability to create order in the midst of the chaos of the ever-changing constitutional law of religious liberty makes this an ideal volume for classroom use, and this new fourth edition updates the church-state story through the US Supreme Court s 2015 
decisions."--Journal of Church and State\nThis accessible and authoritative introduction tells the American story of religious liberty from its colonial beginnings to the latest Supreme Court cases. The authors analyze closely the formation of the First Amendment religion clauses and describe the unique and enduring principles of the American experiment in religious freedom - liberty of conscience, free exercise of religion, religious equality, religious pluralism, separation of church and state, and no establishment of religion. Successive chapters map all of the 240+ Supreme Court cases on religious freedom - covering the free exercise of religion; the roles of government and religion in education; the place of religion in public life; and the interaction of religious organizations and the state. The concluding reflections argue that protecting religious freedom is critical for democratic order and constitutional rule of law, even if it needs judicious balancing with other fundamental rights and state interests.\nClear, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and balanced, this classic volume is an ideal classroom text. This new 5th edition addresses fully the new hot-button issues and cases on religious freedom versus sexual liberty; religious worship

The third edition of this classic book provides a comprehensive, multidisciplinary overview of the history, theory, law, and comparative analysis of American religious liberty from the earliest colonial period through the most recent Supreme Court cases. The authors present balanced, accessible discussions of controversial issues, such as funding religious schools and charities and displaying religious symbols on government property. Three chapters new to this edition cover the free exercise of religion, religion and public life, and religious organizations and the law. In addition, an expanded concluding chapter places the American experience in global context by comparing contemporary American religious liberty law with international human rights standards.

Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment: Third Edition

Witte, Jr., John

Westview Press

Focusing on the most compelling titles across the vast area of imaginative fantasy and science fiction literature and media, this book showcases creative ways to build on existing interest in these genres and promote reading, literacy, and critical thinking.
Science fiction and fantasy stories captivate the imaginations of youth and adults―even today, when real-life technological developments often border on unbelievable. We see evidence of the universal appeal of sci-fi and fantasy-themed tales in popular books, movies, and television series―from The Hunger Games, The Martian, and Star Wars to Jessica Jones and The Man in the High Castle. This guide provides avenues for making use of what naturally interests young audiences pre-teen through emerging or new adult with some 50 programs based on speculative fiction.
For each of the literature-based programs, the book provides a description of the project that identifies the appropriate age level and its goals and learning objectives as well as the duration of time and materials needed. While the selection of titles is diverse, special emphasis is given to media and books created by women and people of color. The step-by-step directions, annotation of the book on which the project is based, list of related titles, and special tips ensure that you'll be able to easily implement the program in your classroom or library. Most of the programs have a technology-related component but can be adapted to be done as traditional crafts. All of the programs are appropriate for students in English and creative writing classes as well as for youth or young adults in a public library setting.
 • Presents ways for librarians connect to young patrons with enriching and entertaining workshop ideas
• Models deep engagement with reading and texts, focusing on leveraging high-interest popular fiction and media to engage young people in critical thinking and reflection, thereby increasing their understanding of the world and themselves
• Stimulates children of various learning styles and age ranges to think creatively and critically through curricula that ties into STEM/STEAM learning

Out of This World Library Programs: Using Speculative Fiction to Promote Reading and Launch Learning

Teen & Young Adult

Libraries Unlimited

Looking for a programming guide for computer tablet use in the library setting? This book provides detailed plans and instructions with specific literacy goals for child, teen, and adult audiences―exactly what librarians seeking to integrate iPad and other tablet use into their programs need.
Tablet computers are fast becoming a ubiquitous technology. These devices also represent a unique opportunity for librarians and teachers because they are relatively affordable, easy to configure and maintain, and highly adaptable. Written by a practicing digital literacy instruction librarian who is also a trained children's librarian, this book offers 50 practical programming scenarios that librarians can use to integrate iPads or other tablet devices into their programming, offering different plans for toddlers and pre-K child, school-aged patrons, teenagers, adults, and even seniors. 
The plans provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and are designed to be easily adaptable to serve specific audiences. The book serves as a unique resource that helps librarians address digital literacy and bridge the digital divide by focusing on―and catering to―the needs of many age groups. Author Joel A. Nichols also provides annotated lists of apps that present librarians new to tablet computing simple and effective ways of integrating an iPad into their programs.
 • Supplies technology programs for young children targeting early literacy skills, and for grade school and middle school-aged children, with a special focus on STEM skills
• Includes programs for adult groups including non-English speakers, job-seekers, and genealogy enthusiasts
• Covers 100 essential apps for library programming in an annotated list
• Provides an annotated list of app review resources for selection
• Blends digital content and delivery with traditional, analogue library services in the versatile supplied plans

iPads® in the Library: Using Tablet Technology to Enhance Programs for All Ages

Perfect for public librarians, instructional librarians, technology and digital resource specialists, and library training specialists, this book is an essential resource for digital literacy instruction.
According to Pew research published in 2013, two-thirds of public libraries report that technology training is important in their communities, and that 86.5 percent of public libraries offer classes on general Internet use. Despite the ubiquitous nature of the Internet and digital media, digital literacy instruction remains one of the major job duties of 21st-century librarians. In this book, author Joel Nichols helps you to close the digital divide and make a difference in increasing information and digital literacy for your patrons, offering tested content and methods that will make it easier for librarians to provide effective digital literacy instruction.
With its discussion of key Internet safety and security topics for inexperienced Internet users, this hands-on, practical guide is what you need for approaching―and solving―these digital literacy instructional challenges. This manual serves librarians who are teaching computer and Internet basics to patrons with little or no experience by providing a packaged solution with ready-made training scripts and practical examples that teach basic digital literacy techniques. The guide also fills any gaps in your knowledge or experience and gets you up to speed with the latest digital information needs of users in order to form a solid foundation from which to provide instruction with the supplied curriculum.
 • Frames instruction of Internet basics in an economical and highly relevant manner for public librarians and their users
• Provides complete training scripts with step-by-step instructions and sample screen shots
• Suggests hands-on activities that apply skills taught and provide opportunity for independent practice
• Contains an annotated appendix of free online courseware that supplements and enhances Internet basics instruction

Teaching Internet Basics: The Can-Do Guide

Computers & Technology

Games & Strategy Guides

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Nichols, Joel A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Nichols, Joel A.

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Nichols, Joel A.. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment

Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment

Religion and the American Constitutional Experiment: Third Edition

Out of This World Library Programs: Using Speculative Fiction to Promote Reading and Launch Learning

iPads® in the Library: Using Tablet Technology to Enhance Programs for All Ages

Teaching Internet Basics: The Can-Do Guide