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Tasks: The Supreme Court's Role in the Democracy of the United States

Understanding the text:

Write down your answers to the following questions.

  1. Why are many laws changed or repealed as time passes?

  2. What do we mean when we say the US Supreme Court has the power of judicial review?

  3. Name one famous supreme court ruling, and explain why it was significant.

  4. How do you become a Supreme Court justice?

  5. What role does the Supreme Court play in the US political system?

Discuss:

Work with partners.

  1. Can you think of any criminal acts that will always be illegal no matter how much society changes?

  2. Until 1962, all US states had laws that made same-sex sexual activity illegal. In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal in the country. How do you think society was able to change so much in just over 50 years?

  3. Should US states be able to make any laws that the elected representatives of the people think is right, or should the Supreme Court continue to be able to declare new state laws unconstitutional?

  4. Should the Supreme Court make decisions based on what the majority of people think is right or wrong, or should they lead the people into a new understanding of right and wrong?

  5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of Supreme Court justices serving for life?

Write:

Choose one of the tasks and write a text that is between 400 and 800 words long. Remember to include a source list for any sources you use.

  1. Compare the role of the US Supreme Court with the role of the Supreme Court in the UK or another English-speaking country.

  2. Compare the role of the US Supreme Court with the role of the Supreme Court in Norway.

Research:

Choose two of these seven Supreme Court rulings. Research them, explain what they were about and how the ruling changed the United States.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Mapp v. Ohio (1961)

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Shelby County v. Holder (2013)

Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022)

Find out:

The Supreme Court plays an important role in US politics. Choose one of the tasks and find out more.

  1. In recent years, we have seen attempts at voter suppression in several US states. Is the Supreme Court doing anything to stop voter suppression?

  2. On 24 June 2022 the Roe v. Wade ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court. What consequences has overturning Roe v. Wade had for women in America?

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