Overview
In order to better understand the structure and function of the Federal court system, specifically the Supreme
Court, we will be analyzing cases that stand out due to the significant impact they have had on our nation.
Process—Your paper and presentation should include the following sections and answer the following questions:
1.
Select your case and research to learn about it—You have already done this part- 
2.
Issue: Identify the case and the issue at hand – What was the Supreme Court asked to decide?
3.
Facts: Summarize the facts surrounding the case. a.
Where and when did the issue being decided initially begin? What happened? b.
What legal question(s) caused the Supreme Court to review the case?
4.
Decision: Analyze the Supreme Court ruling… a.
Identify what was decided…how did the Court respond to what they were asked to decide? b.
Identify the level of support behind the ruling – was it a 9-0 decision, a 5-4 decision, etc.?
5.
Reasoning: What reasons did they give for the decision that was rendered? a.
Brief summary of the reasoning behind majority opinion (summary of the Court’s opinion supporting the decision – who wrote it and what did they say?) b.
Brief summary of the reasoning behind the dissenting opinion (summary of why the Justice did not support the Court’s decision – if there are multiple opinions, pick one)
6.
Application: How does/will the ruling in the case impact or potentially impact your life and/or the life of others? Why is it important?
7.
Presentation: Presentations should last 3-5 minutes.
Grading
1.
See rubric at end of this document for details
2.
Due Date for paper is Monday, December 15 with presentations held on Wednesday.
Good Sources – use back of your textbook as a starting point
1.
www.oyez.org
2.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/home
3.
http://law.justia.com/cases/
4.
Landmarkcases.org

1) Marbury v. Madison (1803)
19) Miller v. California (1973)
2) Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971)
20) Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
3) Engel v. Vitale (1962)
21) Furman v. Georgia (1972)
4) Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
22) Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
5) Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)
23) United States v. Leon (1984)
6) West Virginia State Board of Ed v.
24) Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Barnette (1943)
25) Griswold v Connecticut (1965)
7) Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
26) Lawrence v. Texas (2003)
8) Baker v. Carr (1962)
27) Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
9) Schenck v. Pro-Choice Network of
28) Swan v. Charlotte-Mecklenberg Board of
Western NY (1997)
Ed (1970)
10) Roe v. Wade (1973)
29) Grove City College v. Bell (1984)
11) Whitney v. California (1927)
30) United States v. Virginia (1996)
12) Texas v. Johnson (1989)
31) Harper v. Virginia Board of Elections
13) United States v. Eichman (1990)
(1966)
14) NY Times v. Sullivan (1964)
32) Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States
15) Near v. Minnesota (1931)
(1964)
16) NY Times v United States (1971)
33) Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)
17) Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier
34) Gore v. Bush (2000)
(1988)
35) Kelo v. City of New London (2005)
18) New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985)
Project
Components
Issue
Excellent
Clearly and accurately states the issue before the court.
(10 points)
Satisfactory
Clearly states the issue, but some details are absent.
(8 points)
Needs
Improvement
Issue is stated but lacks clarity and misses details.
(7 points)
Unsatisfactory
Some attempt is made.
(6 points)
Unacceptable
No attempt is made.
(0 points)

Facts
Decision
Reasoning
Presentation
Application
Facts surrounding the case are reported clearly and accurately.
(15 points)
The decision of the Court is clearly stated and accurate.
(15 points)
The rationale behind the decision is clearly and accurately reported and includes required components.
(15 points)
Student presentation includes key details, is organized, and in an acceptable format.
(15 points)
Paper clearly and accurately discusses the significance of the case and its impact. Meets required format.
(30 points)
Facts surrounding the case are reported accurately but are lacking clarity.
(13 points)
The decision of the Court is accurately stated, but lacks clarity.
(13 points)
The rationale is reported accurately, but lacks clarity and/or is missing some of the required components.
(13 points)
Student presentation includes key details, but needs better organization and/or neater format.
(13 points)
Paper addresses the significance, but needs further development.
Mostly meets required format.
(26 points)
Facts surrounding the case are reported but lack clarity and miss details.
(11 points)
The decision of the Court is reported, but lacks clarity and some accuracy.
(11 points)
The rationale is reported, but lacks accuracy, clarity, and/or is missing some of the required components.
(11 points)
Student presentation occurs, but key information is lacking with a need for better organization and/or a neater format.
(11 points)
Paper fails to accurately address the significance of the case and is not in required format.
(22 points)
Some attempt to report facts is made.
(9 points)
An attempt to report the decision is made.
(9 points)
An attempt to report the rationale is made.
(9 points)
A presentation attempt is made.
(9 points)
An attempt to write the application paper is made.
(18 points)
No attempt is made.
(0 points)
No attempt is made.
(0 points)
No attempt is made.
(0 points)
No attempt to present is made.
(0 points)
No attempt at the application paper is made.
(0 points)