Watch the videos below and answer the questions that follow.

Nadine Strossen is President of the American Civil Liberties Union, thus making her the youngest person and first female to head the ACLU. Additionally, she is a professor of law at New York Law School and a council member on the Council on Foreign Relations. In the below video, she discusses the origins of civil liberties in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Where do civil liberties come from? Nadine Strossen from BigThink.com

Do you feel that the ACLU does an adequate job of protecting the civil liberties of Americans? Why or why not? Do you feel that your civil liberties have ever been threatened? If so, provide an example.

The following is a video produced by the People For the American Way and the Electronic Frontier Foundation that features individuals urging Congress to stand up to the Bush administration and prevent surveillance of American citizens by the telecom industry.

Watch the below video and answer the questions that follow.

Stop the Spying! People For the American Way and the Electronic Frontier Foundation

In the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terrorist attacks, the Bush administration stepped up efforts to monitor select telecom activity within the United States, as certain communications may put the United States at further risk of attacks from terrorist organizations. What civil liberties could be threatened by these surveillance policies? The balance between individual liberty and security is a continual challenge for the federal government. What is more important to you: individual liberty or security? Why?

The Colbert Report, hosted by Stephen Colbert, is a parody of personality-driven political opinion shows such as those found on the cable news networks, wherein Colbert hosts the show in character as a right-wing pundit.

Watch the video below and answer the questions that follow.

The Word - Justice The Colbert Report Comedy Central First aired Wednesday, June 20, 2007

What sort of civil liberty issues does Stephen Colbert discuss in the above video? Why does the threat of terrorism present so many challenges to civil liberties?

Declare Yourself is a national nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign to empower and encourage every eligible 18-year-old in America to register and vote in presidential primaries and presidential elections. Using the power of strategic media partnerships, celebrity spokespeople, the sports arena, and most importantly, mobile and Internet technology, Declare Yourself's campaign blankets the landscape of popular culture, as well as universities and high schools, with a simple, clear message: REGISTER and VOTE!

Watch the video below and answer the questions that follow.

Dancing Is A Right Declare Yourself

What important civil rights amendment is discussed in the video? How does this video demonstrate the importance of this amendment for young people today?

When Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States, the nation witnessed a new direction in the history of civil rights in America, as Obama serves as the first African-American President of the country. The below video from CBS News examines the Obama candidacy prior to his election in light of the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

Historical Night For U.S. August 29, 2008 CBS News

Do you feel that the Obama presidency will create more opportunities for further civil rights reform in America? Why or why not?

Now watch the below parody from the Onion News Network and answer the questions that follow.

Portrayal Of Obama As Elitist Hailed As Step Forward For African Americans The Onion News Network

How is Obama’s background and education, in relation to the history of the civil rights movement in the U.S., presented in a satirical fashion? What underlying issues of his candidacy, and the media coverage of him during the 2008 election, were highlighted and used in a humorous portrayal?