Research Paper:
Locate a recent case decided by the Supreme Court related to one of the topics we study in this course. The case should be too recent for inclusion in the textbook, i.e. a case decided after summer 2018.
Read the full text of the opinion with care (do not use a source that summarizes the case). Describe the case in your own words- include a brief summary of the facts, the legal issue in the case (including the relevant provisions of the constitution and any statutes), and how the Court ruled.
If you were our textbook editor, where would you put the case in the Israel, et al. textbook, and why? Specify the chapter and subsection. How does the case add to our knowledge on the topic? Is there anything noteworthy about how the 9 justices voted in the case? If you were on the Court, which opinion would you join, and why (this part assumes the opinion was not unanimous)? The Supreme Court ruling is often not the end of the case- it is usually handed back to the lower courts. What do you think will happen to the criminal case now that the court has ruled?
Good sources for finding court opinions are Supremecourt.gov/opinions and Scotusblog.com.
The paper should be at least 750 words in length, excluding the list of works cited. Sources must be referenced and cited properly within the text of the paper. You may use the citation format you are most comfortable with, as long as it is a commonly-accepted style. The paper is due on the last class day, December 9, but you may turn it in to me any time and get your grade sooner! Submit it to the D2L Dropbox. If you wish, it can be submitted to the Electronic Writing Portfolio.
