AP GOVERNMENT / CASE LAW ASSIGNMENT / MR. LIPMAN
We are studying chapters 5 and 6 of the textbook which deals with the issue of Civil Liberties
(Bill of Rights) and Civil Rights (14th Amendments). As we have learned, Civil Liberties
concern the protections given to Americans from Government action while Civil Rights
concern those powers given to Americans to use Government action to protect their rights.
Using your textbook, as well the computer research site findlaw.com, each student will
research one or two of the following Supreme Court cases and then provide a brief power
point presentation to the class setting forth (1) a very brief review of the facts of the case,
(2) the court’s decision, and (3) the constitutional principal which the case is known for.
Your presentation should not exceed 5 slides and MUST focus on the issues presented
and the principal of the case.
1. Gitlow v. New York (1925) free speech_______________________________________
2. Near v. Minnesota (1931) free speech _________________________________________
3. Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988) obscenity v. pornography_______________________
4. Engel v. Vitale (1962) school prayer__________________________________________
5. Barron v. Baltimore (1833) BoR to Fed only____________________________________
6. Schenck v. United States (1919) clear & present_________________________________
7. Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969) speech/violence____________________________________
8. Mapp v. Ohio (1961) 4th amendment___________________________________________
9. Weeks v. United States(1914) 4th amendment___________________________________
10. Furman v. Georgia (1972) death penalty______________________________________
11. Griswold v. Connecticut(1965) privacy_______________________________________
12. Plessy v. Ferguson(1896) separate but equal____________________________________
13. Brown v. Board of Educ.(1954) public schools________________________________
14. Muller v. Oregon(1908) protect women________________________________________
15. Swann v. Charlotte-Mecklenburg(1971) busing_______________________________
16. Reed v. Reed(1971) sexual discrimination__________________________________
17. Lawrence v. Texas(2003) same sex_______________________________________
18. University of Calif. v. Bakke(1978) affirmative action_________________________
19. Bollinger cases (2) (2003) affirmative action___________________________________
20. NY Times v. Sullivan (1971) free speech______________________________________
21. Lemon v. Kurztman court review__________________________________________
22. Roe v. Wade (1973) abortion_______________________________________________
23. Tinker v. Des Moines student rights__________________________________________
24. TLO V. NJ student rights___________________________________________________
25. Reno v. ACLU internet___________________________________________________
26. Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) school newspapers______________________________
27. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014) religon _____________________________________
Remember that almost all of these cases will involve some aspect of the Selective
Incorporation doctrine and thus it is important that you be very familiar with this
Constitutional principle.