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Supreme Court Decisions Comparison Worksheet

Compares two Supreme Court cases through the lens of judicial review and a single founding principle.

Student Objectives:

  • I can compare the facts, constitutional issue, holding, reasoning, and majority opinions of two Supreme Court cases.
  • I can analyze two Supreme Court cases focusing on a single founding principle.
  • I can identify and explain how the principle of judicial review was used in the justices’ reasonings.

Directions: Select and analyze two Supreme Court cases focusing on a single founding principle. Fill out the organizer for both cases. Compare the facts, constitutional issue, holding, reasoning, decision, and opinion. Last, answer the analysis questions.

Chosen Founding Principle and Definition:

Founding Principle:

 

 

Definition:

 

First Supreme Court Case Citation:

  • Write a 3-5 sentence overview of the case that includes the facts of the case. The facts are the relevant events of a case that occurred before the courts became involved:
  • What is the constitutional issue at the center of this case? How does the constitutional issue relate to the founding principle?
  • What was the holding, or the Court’s response to the issue being considered in the case? And, what was the Court’s reasoning, or explanation of the holding?
  • Summarize the decision and opinion.
  • How did the Court use the principle of judicial review?
  • Second Supreme Court Case Citation:
  • Write a 3-5 sentence overview of the case that includes the facts of the case. The facts are the relevant events of a case that occurred before the courts became involved:
  • What is the constitutional issue at the center of this case? How does the constitutional issue relate to the founding principle?
  • What was the holding or the Court’s response to the issue being considered in the case? And, what was the Court’s reasoning or explanation of the holding?
  • Summarize the decision and opinion.
  • How did the Court use the principle of judicial review?

Analysis

  • Compare and contrast the two cases’ facts, constitutional issues, reasonings, and majority opinions. What similarities and differences can you identify?
  • Explain how each case relates to the Founding principle.
  • How does the constitutional issue common to both cases challenge or reinforce the founding principle you identified?
  • In what ways did the court apply the principle of judicial review in each case? Discuss how the Court interpreted the Constitution to come to its decision.