THE SUPREME COURT IN U.S. HISTORY *** RESEARCH PAPER 2007
The research paper will involve the student in the fundamental work of historians: the examination of
primary and secondary source material with the purpose of describing and assessing a particular
historical topic.
The term paper is not merely an "exercise." The assignment of a term paper is a valid academic device
designed to teach students the value of research skills, analytical thought, organization, and selfdiscipline. We work on the skills necessary to complet it all semester.
The writing of a term paper is required for the Supreme Court segment of Senior History. It replaces a
final exam in this course, and is worth 20% of the semester grade.
PAPER GUIDELINES
Term paper topics must be selected from one of the following broad categories:
I.
A constitutional issue. The paper must trace the treatment of a constitutional issue over time.
The paper should discuss and analyze differences in the Supreme Court's treatment of the
constitutional issue in approximately three different cases. The significance of this treatment
should be placed within the context of American history. Possible topics:
(A) Voting rights;
(D) Freedom of the press;
(B) Free speech;
(E) Right to counsel;
(C) Separation of church and state;
(F) Racial discrimination and preference;
(G) Equal protection: gender; age; economic status; (H) Due process; (I) "Right" to privacy.
II.
An important judicial figure. Select a prominent justice or judge and discuss his/her
contributions to American constitutional history. An intellectual biography which focuses
primarily on the judical career of the subject, paying close attention to his or her written
opinions, dissents and concurrences. Possible topics:
(A) Oliver Ellsworth; (B) John Marshall; (C) Joseph Story; (D) Roger B. Taney;
(E) Samuel Chase; (F) John Marshall Harlan; (G) Oliver Wendell Holmes;
(H) Charles Evans Hughes; (I) Hugo Black; (J) William 0. Douglas (K) Earl Warren;
(L) William Brennan; (M) Thurgood Marshall; (N) Sandra Day O'Connor
(O) William Rehnquist
[continued on reverse]
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Ill. A judicial event. Select a trial or legal matter that involved the Supreme Court or a Supreme
Court justice, but was not a case heard before the Supreme Court. Possible topics:
(A) Aaron Burr's treason trial;
(B) President Roosevelt's Supreme Court "packing" plan;
(C) The impeachment of Andrew Johnson;
(D) Clarence Thomas' confirmation hearings;
(E) The impeachment of William Clinton
IV.
A landmark Supreme Court case. Select a topic from the list of cases distributed in class.
Discuss the case and the significance of its decision.
All papers in Category IV must include the following information:

the constitutional issue at stake;

facts of the case;

background to the case prior to its Supreme Court hearing;

lower court rulings;

constitutional arguments made before the Supreme Court;

the Supreme Court's holding (vote) on the case;

a description and analysis of the majority opinion;

a description and analysis of the dissenting opinion(s);

the impact of the case on American law and life;

the precedent, if any, set by the case.
[note: annotated suggested cases are posted in each classroom and the Sayre library]
There are to be no duplicate topics. Each student will select a topic independent of other topics.
Term papers must follow standard format and procedure; guidelines will be distributed and discussed
in class. Copies of the “Term Paper Survival Kit” will be posted on my web page and
available in the Student pick-up folder on the server. All papers are to be word
processed, a minimum of 2,000 words in length (approximately 8 pages),
and double-spaced, with an original title, title page, footnote citations and a List of
Works Cited. A checklist of all necessary elements, as well as a copy of the grading
rubric, will be included with the initial assignment.
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Important term paper deadlines and “hurdle dates"
Meeting Tuesday, October 2 during class in Sayre Library to discuss Sayre Library holdings and
subscription services. A good way to investigate which topics really interest you before you narrow
your final choices for the lottery the next day.
Term paper topics must be selected by: October 3. Topic lottery will be held during mandatory
meeting in my classroom at 10:20 during break. Be there promptly.
Wednesday, October 10: Meeting with Amy Osborn, UK Law Reference Librarian during Flex,
10:40-11:40, in Ulack Auditorium. Mandatory.
Preliminary source list/bibliography is due by: Friday, October 12
Basic Factsheet about your topic due Friday, October 26.
A "working" outline is due by: Friday, November 2.
(A tip: students should have research completed by Thanksgiving break and be at the writing
“stage.”)
Last day to turn in (optional) rough drafts for review: Tuesday, November 27. (After Thanksgiving
Break)
Research papers are due the week before final exams, no later than December 12.
Late papers will be heavily penalized. Any extensions must be approved in advance.
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