Winter Break EXTRA CREDIT

Here's a gift that will keep on giving!   Giving you more knowledge, and extra credit, that is.

Complete one, or both of the essays below.   Make sure that your essay is neatly handwritten, or computer printed, and you enclose the attached rubric.  

Option #1
Theme: Diversity (Constitutional Rights)

Throughout United States history, Supreme Court decisions have addressed the issue of the constitutional rights of various groups. These decisions have limited or expanded the rights of members of these groups. 

Task: Identify two Supreme Court cases related to the rights of specific groups and for each

• Describe the historical circumstances surrounding the case
• Explain the Supreme Court’s decision in the case
• Discuss how the Supreme Court decision limited or expanded the constitutional rights of members of this group

You may use any Supreme Court case from your study of United States history in which the Supreme Court addressed the issue of the constitutional rights of various groups. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include Worcester v. Georgia (1832), Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857), Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Korematsu v. United States (1944), Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954), Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964), and Roe v. Wade (1973).

Option #2:
Theme: Change — Constitutional Amendments

When the Founding Fathers wrote the United States Constitution, they included the amendment process. The amendments that have been passed brought political, social, and economic changes to American society.

Task: Select two constitutional amendments that have changed American society and for each
• Describe the historical circumstances that led to the adoption of the amendment
• Discuss the political, social, and/or economic changes the amendment brought to American society

You may use any constitutional amendments that have changed American society. Some suggestions you might wish to consider include the 13th amendment (abolition of slavery, 1865), 17th amendment (direct election of senators, 1913), 18th amendment (Prohibition, 1919), 19th amendment (woman’s suffrage, 1920), 22nd amendment (presidential term limits, 1951), 24th amendment (elimination of the poll tax, 1964), and 26th amendment (suffrage for 18-year-old citizens, 1971).

Winter Break Project 2015

CLICK HERE for a Google Docs Version of this post

Learning Target: After completing an internet based exercise, students will analyze, and evaluate the effects of Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Point Value: 100 points (same as a test)

Background

From its first case in 1803 (Marbury v. Madison), the Supreme Court has become a very powerful force in American life and culture. Of the three branches, the decisions of the Supreme Court, through a process known as Judicial Review, have arguably the most direct impact on the day-to-day lives of the American people. As a result of this project,  you and your classmates will gain a greater understanding of the court’s impact on your life

What do I Have to do?

I.  You will research several important Supreme Court cases.  For each case you must be able to discuss the:

1. Facts and Details: When did it take place? Where? Who was involved? How did it get to the Supreme Court?
2. The Conflict: In other words, why did this case reach the Supreme Court in the first place?  Was there a law, or action of the federal, or state government that was being challenged?  What right, or civil liberty is being challenged?  For example in the case of Tinker v. Des Moines, a students’ right to free expression under the First Amendment was questioned.  
3. The Outcome of the Case: How did the SC rule? Why did they rule this way?
4. The importance of the case: How did the ruling affect the lives of Americans? Did it limit, or expand the civil rights of Americans? Did people have MORE freedom because of the court's decision, or LESS freedom?  Did this case EXPAND, or LIMIT the POWER of the Government?    

II.  After completing your research, you will arrange your findings in a table or chart.

III.  The Cases:  

Expansion of Power of The Federal Government:
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Expansion of Individual Rights:
Brown v. Board of Edcuation (1954)
Mapp v. Ohio (1961)
Engel v. Vitale (1962)
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)
Roe v. Wade (1973)

Limiting of Individual Rights:
Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856)
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Schenck v. United States (1919)
Korematsu v. United States (1944)
Nixon v. United States (1974)

Power of Government:
Wabash Railway v. Illinois (1886)
US v. EC Knight (1895)
Muller v. Oregon (1908)
Schechter Poultry v. US (1935)
Escobedo v. Illinois (1964)  

IV. Resources
Bill of Rights Institute
Mr. Nassivera’s Site - Landmark Cases
HipHughes - “Supreme Court Cases for Dummies”
Hip Hughes - “The Warren Court in Ten Minutes”
HipHughes - “The Dred Scott Decision”
Hip Hughes - “The Exclusionary Rule”
PBS - Landmark Cases
YouTube playlist - “Supreme Court Cases”

Here's a link to the videos on Google.

Here's a link to the Vimeo Playlist for the videos. 

HW 12/22/15

Hello, All:

Please watch the following video.  It will be very helpful for you, as you work your way through the winter break project.  You must take notes on the video.

Supreme Court Cases For Dummies- US History Review from Mike Tesler on Vimeo.

HW 12/17/15

Hello, All:

Here's your HW for Thursday night, 12/17.

1.  Watch, and take notes on the following videos.

Complete the attached worksheet.   You must hand in the notes, as well as the worksheet.

HW Week of 12/7/15

Hello, All:

Here are your HW assignments for the week of 12/7/15.

MONDAY NIGHT: 
If you didn't complete the DBQ's in class, today, please complete them for HW.  Here is a link to the DBQ.  

TUESDAY: 
1. If you didn't finish the Bill of Rights situation worksheet in class, please complete it for HW. Click the link for the assignment 
2. BRING HEADPHONES TO CLASS ON WEDNESDAY!

WEDNESDAY: 
Continue working on the Amendment mini-project we began in class, today.

The Mini-Project is due by the end of the period, FRIDAY!!!