Recount ...

Please share your reaction to the film Recount. What role did the Courts and Constitutional Theory play in the process? Did the Constitution work or did it become a political machine?

Protection of Privacy or Bullying?

Please read the following Inside Higher Ed article about the Tyler Clemente case at Rutgers University. How has social media changed the ability to protect one's privacy? What challenges do schools face in the future with the increased use of social media as a means for communication? Was this case more about invasion of privacy or bullying?

Privacy on Facebook?

Please read the following USA Today article and comment on an individual's right to privacy and freedom of speech. What do you think?

Howes v. Fields, 2012 ...

Please review the following Supreme Court decision that was passed down this week. Why did the Supreme Court decide to hear this case? What are the implications for Due Process? Were any precedents altered?

Please also notice the format of this Supreme Court decision, so you can replicate the design for your hypothetical assignment.

Recent Supreme Court Ruling ...

Please read the following Washington Post article concerning the Supreme Court's consideration of the role of race in the college admission process. Please share your reaction.

Reaction to 12 Angry Men ...

Please share your personal reaction to the film. Discuss the following questions ... What Is “Reasonable Doubt”? Which characters base their decisions on prejudice? How would you have voted if you were on the jury?

Reaction to Gideon's Trumpet ...

Please share your reaction to the movie. Explain the current interpretation of the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and its connection to the 14th Amendment due process application to the states established by the Gideon v. Wainwright case.

Schools and Religion ...

Read the following NYT article about Schools and Religion and post your reaction. Was the Supreme Court right in its approach to this potential establishment of religion?

Student Speech

In its landmark 1969 ruling in Tinker v. Des Moines, the Supreme Court found that students do not "shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate." What is your reaction to the case involving student speech in the case of Morse v. Frederick?

Freedom of Speech

Please comment on the following npr debate surrounding our Freedom of Speech conducted by "Intelligence Squared U.S." What limits should be placed on our speech?

Religious schools may be exempt from discrimination laws

Please read the following Washington Post article and comment.

Is the Death Penalty Unconstitutional?

According to Furman v. Georgia 1972, the "Imposition and carrying out of death penalty in these cases held to constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of 8th and 14th Amendments." Read the following NYT article and post your reaction. Do you think that capital punishment in the United States is unconstitutional? Why or Why not?