Landmark Cases: Law and Society: Research Project

You have been selected to serve on a Landmark Supreme Court Case Commission. Your committee has been tasked with establishing the most important and influential Supreme Court case in recent history. As a commissioner, you and your partner must research and review a nominated court case and prepare a presentation that will effectively persuade other members of the Landmark Supreme Court Case Commission to select your case as the most significant Supreme Court decision in recent times. Voting will take place in closed ballot.

With your partner select a case to research from the list below:

1. Gideon v. Wainwright
2. Miranda v. Arizona
3. Tinker v. Des Moines
4. Roe v. Wade
5. New Jersey v. TLO
6. Texas v. Johnson
7. Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission
8. Roper v. Simmons
9. Obergefell v. Hodges

1. Title of case
2. Constitutional Issue: What is the constitutional issue involved in the case?  
3. Parties Involved:Who were the parties involved in the case?
4. Historical background/ Time/setting: When and where did the case take place?
5. Background Events:What events lead up to the case going before the Supreme Court?
6. Arguments: What were the arguments for both sides of the case?
7. Ruling: What was the Supreme Court’s ruling / decision?
8. Rationale: What was the reasoning given by the Supreme Court for making their decision?
9. Relevance: Why is this case considered “Landmark”? What was the long term impact of this case?
10. Response: How do you feel about the ruling? Why?
11. Sources 

PBS Supreme Court Games

• The Look of Authority
• Supreme Inspiration
• The First Hundred Years
• Capitalism and Conflict
• Expanding Civil Rights
• The Future of the Court

iCivics Supreme Decision

Supreme Court Seating Challenge (Washington Post)