Holes and Goals

The Judicial BranchMarc Pirner

Content Investigations

The Judicial Branch

This course will academically explore the judicial branch of the American political system in terms of its foundations, functionality, and impact on the lives of Americans. Both the way the judicial branch fits into the broader American tapestry (both politically and socially) as well as the specificities within the judicial branch will be introduced. Key concepts in criminal and civil law will be explored. Key Supreme Court cases will also be examined, both what each established and why each is considered important in the American context.

Essential questions

What are the fundamental concepts surrounding the Judicial system?

What is the structure and major functions of the judicial system?

What are major, controversial/historical Supreme Court cases and how have they impacted America?

How does the judicial system fit into the larger American context?

What are the fundamental concepts surrounding the Judicial system?

SWBAT describe and identify the fundamental concepts surrounding the judicial branch by defining key terms and finding these concepts in American discourse by completing a worksheet as individuals.

What is the structure and major functions of the judicial system?

SWBAT identify the primary functions of the judicial branch by researching the primary functions and (a) complete a worksheet which asks specific questions about the structure and function and (b) write a letter to a friend describing the structure and function.

What are major, controversial/historical Supreme Court cases and how have they impacted America?

SWBAT  (a) define key Supreme Court cases, when and why each happened, and explain the impact it had on American life by answering worksheet questions and taking an online quiz.

How does the judicial system fit into the larger American context?

SWBAT write an essay connecting the judicial system to the overarching American context, linking the judicial system to social, political, economic, religious, and cultural events on a broad level.

The worksheet provides terms pertinent to the study of the Judicial Branch the directions state: “For each of the following terms provide: (a) definition you found, (b)  definition in your own words, and (c) where you see it in the real world.”

(a) complete a worksheet which asks specific questions about the structure and function and (b) write a letter to a friend describing the structure and function.

The worksheet gives 7 of the most important Supreme Court cases and asks for the date, a brief history, and its impact.

Write a detailed, well-organized essay to answer this question: How does the judicial system fit into the larger American context?

Webquest

Favorite resources

Corporation, E. B. (2006). Timeline: Supreme Court Developments Retrieved October 2010, from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/timeline/index.html

Wikipedia Oyez. (2010). U.S. Supreme Court

Media, October, 2010, fromwww.oyez.org

The Judicial Branch decides how you live

I need to do this same thing for the other Branches of government!