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Supreme Court Round-Up 2021-2022

Introduction:

The Supreme Court plays a significant role in our government, hearing cases and establishing precedents on how to interpret the law. Each year, citizens bring cases before the Court on important constitutional questions. The Justices are sometimes unanimous in their decisions, but often, they will disagree. Understanding these decisions and how and why they are decided helps hold the court accountable and paves the way for future Supreme Court decisions. 

Take a look at a few of the cases decided this term and decide whether or not you agree with the Court’s decision. Additionally, review cases that are pending to decide how you believe the Court should rule. How might the precedents set by these decisions impact the future of the United States? 

Directions: 

Select one case from the “finished cases” list and one case from the “pending cases” list. Then answer the following questions. 

Decided Cases: 

Houston Community College System v. Wilson 

Ramirez v. Collier 

Shurtleff v. Boston 

United States v. Tsarnaev 

Pending Cases: 

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization 

Kennedy v. Bremerton School District

New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen 

West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency 

Finished Cases Questions

  • What was the question argued in the case? 
  • What was the Supreme Court’s decision regarding the case? 
  • Which Supreme Court justice wrote the majority or unanimous opinion? Which justice wrote the dissenting opinion, if any? Which justice wrote the concurring opinion, if any? 
  • Do you agree with the court’s decision? Explain your answer. 
  • Do you believe the Supreme Court has fulfilled its constitutional duty in making this decision? Why or why not?  

Pending Cases Questions

  • What is the question argued in the case? 
  • What are the arguments you expect to see presented? 
  • How do you expect the Court to rule? Why? 
  • What precedents might they draw upon? 
  • How would you rule if you were on the Supreme Court? Why? 
  • Do you think it matters if the Supreme Court hears cases remotely? Why or why not? 

Related Content

Curriculum

Supreme Court Document-Based Questions

60 Lessons

How can you help your students develop critical thinking skills? Explore Landmark Supreme Court cases that changed history. Give your students tools to evaluate the Court's rulings and their impact on American society. Analyze primary sources spanning five centuries--colonial codes of law, the Federalist Papers, the Constitution, contemporary photographs, case law, oral arguments, the Court's majority and dissenting opinions, and others. Each Document Based Question (DBQ) will lead them towards an understanding of the role played by the Court and an assessment of its decisions. Each DBQ also contains a section called "The Issue Endures," which highlights current applications of the case issue.