CONFLICTS AND CONNECTIONS
120
Topic: Constitutional Conflict
Step 1:
What is the role of the Supreme Court?
Take a tour through Supreme Court Building using the following website http://www.oyez.org/tour/
What are two interesting things you discovered when you were exploring the building?
The United States Supreme Court is the nation’s highest court for all cases and controversies arising
under the Constitution or the laws of the United States. As a guardian and interpreter of the
Constitution, the Court has the power to invalidate legislation or presidential orders. When the Court
rules on a constitutional issue, only a constitutional amendment or a new ruling of the Court can
change that judgment.
But the Supreme Court must follow the legal principle of precedent known as stare decisis . It’s a Latin
phrase that means, “to stand by things decided.” In the case of the Supreme Court, it means simply that
the court will almost always abide by its previous rulings and lower courts must follow precedents
established by higher courts.
Step 2:
1. Use the following websites to research the history of the Supreme Court
http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/courts_supreme.html
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourt.cfm
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/nominations/SupremeCourt/SupremeCourtHistory.cfm
2. Answer the following questions:
 From what perspectives, does the Court view the Constitution?
 The Supreme Court’s history and decision-making can be divided into four
segments that define it. What are they?
 In the beginning, why were all Supreme Court Justices required to “ride circuit”?
Step 3:
Use the following website and identify the current members of the Supreme Court. In your own words,
write a three- five sentence description of each current member. Make sure to include at least one
biographical detail and at least two important moments on the bench.
o http://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx
o
http://www.biography.com/people/groups/legal-professionals/supreme-courtjustices/all
o
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/justices/fullcourt.html
DURATION: 8 PERIODS
CONFLICTS AND CONNECTIONS
120
Step 4:
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These websites
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Research the following court cases. Find the basic facts of the cases, how each reached
the Supreme Court, the arguments made in front of the high court, and the Supreme
Court's decision. Complete the Constitutional Conflict graphic organizer.
Brown v. Board of Education (first case)
Bush v. Gore
Tinker v. Des Moines
Miranda v. Arizona
Gideon v. Wainwright
Furman v. Georgia
may help you with your research.
http://www.streetlaw.org/en/landmark.aspx
http://www.oyez.org/cases/1950-1959?page=23
http://billofrightsinstitute.org/resources/educator-resources/landmark-cases/ (use the
links to the left to navigate to specific cases)
http://www.oyez.org/cases/2000-2009/2000/2000_00_949
Step 5:
Now select your favorite case and create a (10-15 slides) PowerPoint or Prezi that summarizes
the issues in the case. Then fully explore the majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions
written by the justices. The final few slides should be dedicated to expressing your personal
opinion on the case, assuming you were a Supreme Court justice writing your opinion – how
would you have voted? Explain your rationale. Be sure to your presentation is in your own
words and has transitions and images.
Closure:
Share your Power Point or Prezi with classmates.
DURATION: 8 PERIODS