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Activity 2.4: Supreme Judgment & Interpretation Forum
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Lesson 2: Courting Controversy: The First and Second Amendments

Activity 2.4: Supreme Judgment & Interpretation Forum

These nine individuals have the ultimate say when it comes to the law of the land in the United States of America. Once nominated by a sitting president and confirmed by the U.S. Senate they are allowed to hold their supreme positions until they wish to resign or death comes for them. Some people say that lifetime positions are undemocratic while others say that it helps preserve an independent judiciary. Regardless, the members of the Supreme Court have continually reinterpreted and redefined the meanings of the Constitutional Rights throughout the history of the republic. Back row (left to right): Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel A. Alito, and Elena Kagan. Front row (left to right): Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The time has come for you to demonstrate your understanding of the impact of laws and court ruling upon the rights found in the First and Second Amendments. In this forum discussion, you will respond to each of the four questions and then respond to two posts of other people.

Benchmark 9.1.3.4.2:

Explain the scope and limits of rights protected by the First and Second Amendments and changes created by legislative action and court interpretation.

Learning Target:

I can...discuss how Supreme Court rulings have affected First and Second Amendment rights.

Essential Question:

How do laws and the court rulings affect First and Second Amendment rights?

To complete Activity 2.4 please follow the steps below:

STEP 1

Proceed to the forum discussion below. Remember to follow all of the guidelines found in Activity 2.1.

FORUM QUESTIONS
After you post your responses, please continue the forum discussion by responding to two additional posts.

  1. Which limits on First Amendment rights surprised you the most?

  1. In your own opinion, why has the Second Amendment been under greater scrutiny than at any other time in American history over the past 75 years?

  1. Compared to how you understood the rights and liberties in the First and Second Amendments before you took the quizzes in Activity 2.1, how have your opinions about your constitutional rights changed?

  1. How do laws and the court rulings affect First and Second Amendment rights?