Civil Liberties Supreme Court Research Paper
You will be conducting a research project for final project for this class. Each of you will be given a
Supreme Court Case based on your area of interest. You will complete a research paper and final
presentation of your information.
Important Deadlines:
Tuesday, May 27: Research questions to be answered and handed in at the end of class
Wednesday, June 4: Research paper due at the end of class
Thursday, June 5: Working on PowerPoint presentation
Friday, June 6 (3rd block), Monday, June 9th (4th block): Presentations are due during class
Part I: Research (10% of Final Exam)- (Must be answered in complete sentences)- Will be graded
according to content, clarity and detail.
Answer the following questions to guide your research/ presentation. Each explanation must be typed
with detailed information of at least a paragraph for each. This will be graded for completion on
Monday, May 26
1. What are the facts of the case? (summarize the story behind the case…you are telling a story)
2. What the plaintiff really wants is?…in plain English, what does the plaintiff desire?
3. What was the majority decision of the Court?
Describe the majority opinion…Which Justice wrote it?
4. What is the importance/significance of the case today?
Did the case add to/take from the Constitution or any amendments? Explain.
5. How are Civil Liberties affected by the case and in particular by the ruling?
Part 2: Written Component (60% of Final Grade) (3-4 pages, double spaced, 12 point font,
Times New Roman). Due at the end of class on Wednesday, June 4.
The paper must include an introduction, well-constructed body paragraphs and a conclusion at the end.
Information from the research step to give a thorough explanation of the case.
The most essential questions you will be answering through the paper are:
-
How did the Supreme Court case test the Civil Liberties of those on trial? Why? Or Why not?
Support with evidence.
From learning all of the information about the case do you agree with the ruling overall?
21st Century Civil Liberties & Civil Rights, Unit 3
A work cited page with MLA citations must be included as well as in text citations within the paper. (3
sources needed)
Suggested structure for paper:
Introduction: Provides a brief explanation of the case and its importance to all Americans. It should
also have well thought out answers to both essential questions.
Body Paragraphs: The first 2 paragraphs should give a detailed explanation of the court cases which
includes the information found during the research stage as well as any other important information
which may include public reaction to the court ruling and its effective on American society in the
future.
The next two body paragraphs should include an in-depth analysis of the Supreme Court Case
decision. Provide at least two detailed reasons why you agree or disagree with the decision made by
the Supreme Court.
Conclusion: The conclusion should definitively state whether or not you agree or disagree with the
court ruling and provide clear and concise reasons why.
Part 3: Presentation (30% of Final Exam) (3-5 minutes long and at least 10 informational
slides.) Presented during class on June 6th (3rd block) or June 9th (4th block)
Through a multimedia presentation students must explain the most pertinent parts of the case, and
also explain what Civil Liberties were being putting on trial and weather they agree or disagree with
the ruling after doing all the research.
A work cited page must be included at the end of the presentation as well.
21st Century Civil Liberties & Civil Rights, Unit 3
Recommended Case Studies
Rights of the Accused







Mapp v. Ohio 1961—prevents illegal search and
seizure
Gideon v. Wainwright 1963—guarantees a
lawyer
Miranda v. Arizona 1966—rights must be read
before questioning
Escobedo v. Illinois 1964—right to a lawyer
during questioning
Furman v. Georgia 1972—death penalty
Gregg v. Georgia 1976—death penalty
Roper v. Simmons 2005—bans death penalty for
juveniles
Freedom of Speech/Press







Roth v. U.S. 1957—obscene speech
Texas v. Johnson 1989—flag burning
Tinker v. Des Moines 1969—symbolic speech
Reno v. ACLU 1997—obscene speech and
juveniles
Brandenburg v. Ohio 1969—cannot limit
inflammatory speech unless it incites violence
Gitlow v. New York 1925—anti-government
speech
Hazelwood School District v Kuhlmeier, 1988Freedom of Press (School Newspaper)
Freedom of Religion



Engle v. Vitale 1962—bans prayer in school
Abington v. Schempp 1963—bans Bible readings
in school
Everson v. Board of Education 1947—allows for
reimbursement of bussing money for parochial
students
Advocacy




1960’s counter culture
Pro-life/family planning movement
Feminism movement
American Civil Liberties Union
Barriers




Patriot Act, Espionage Act
Red Scare, Internment
North Carolina Amendment 1
Powell v. Alabama 1932 & Patterson v. Alabama
1935—Scottsboro boys, due process, legal
counsel

Charles Stinney—youngest execution in the U.S.

Communications Decency Act
o Ginsberg v. New York 1968
o F.C.C. v. Pacifica Foundation 1978
o Renton v. Playtime Theatre Inc. 1986
Other Supreme Court Cases:
o
Regents of the University of California v
Bakke, 1978- Affirmative Action
21st Century Civil Liberties & Civil Rights, Unit 3
o
Dred Scott vs. Sandford, 1857- Slavery
property
Additional Case Studies
Rights of the Accused







Powell v. Alabama 1932 & Patterson v. Alabama
1935—Scottsboro boys, due process, legal
counsel
Betts v. Brady 1942—indigent defendants and
counsel
Sacco and Vanzetti case—influence of prior
history
Coker v. Georgia 1977—no death penalty for
rape
In Re Gualt 1967—juveniles and due process
O’Connor v. Donaldson 1975—cannot be
indefinitely detained if mentally ill
Strauder v. West Virginia 1879—cannot be
excluded from a jury based on race
Freedom of Speech/Press










Stromberg v. California 1931—wearing of red
flags
West Virginia Board of Education v. Barnette
1943—cannot be forced to say the Pledge of
Allegiance
Yates v. U.S. 1957—protects radical speech
New York Times v. Sullivan 1964—actual malice
and defamation
Hannegan v. Esquire 1946—cannot withhold
mail based on what it says
Hustler v. Falwell 1982—obscene speech
Near v. Minnesota 1931—limits restrictions on
free speech
RAV v. City of St. Paul 1992—public displays are
allowed
Schenck v. U.S. 1919—Espionage Act doesn’t
violate the 1st Amendment
Curley v. NAMBLA 2000—protection of
inflammatory speech
Freedom of Religion





Scopes Trial—evolution vs. creationism in
schools
Illinois ex rel McCollum v. Board of Education
1948—no religious instruction in public schools
Lee v. Weisman 1992—no prayer at school
ceremonies
Minersville School District v. Gobitis 1940—
saluting the flag
West Virginia State School Board v. Barnette
1943—saluting the flag
21st Century Civil Liberties & Civil Rights, Unit 3