Weekly Syllabus

Week of Monday, October 27  through Friday, October 31

This week we will continue learning about reproductive freedom cases.  We will have another guest speaker on Thursday, when Mr. Blaum will come give us insights into the legislative history of the case we will study this week.  After that we will begin reading cases related to LGBT rights, which will lead us into our final simulation of the term. We are in the home stretch.  The work is getting harder, but you are all doing very well; keep up the good work!

Monday, October 27, 2014 (45 min)

Topic: Information on how Roe was received by the public when it was announced. Information about the status of abortion laws in the United States in 2014.

Homework: This homework is due for Wednesday, but you should devote time tonight and tomorrow to completing it.

EVERYONE should read the syllabus. You might also find the Wikipedia entry to be helpful.

LAST NAMES A-C should read the Majority opinion by Justices O'Connor, Kennedy and Souter.

LAST NAMES D-M should read the concurrence/dissent by Justice Blackmun and the concurrence/dissent by Chief Justice Rehnquist

LAST NAMES O-U should read the concurrence/dissent by Justice Scalia, and the concurrence/dissent by Justice Stevens.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014 (50 min)

Topic: Summary of important information about the case. This is a complicated one, no question about it!  You might have time in class to work on doing the reading, but if you do, it won't be much.

Homework: Finish up the reading. Tomorrow's class will consist of each of the three groups having 10 minutes to present the key issues that were raised in the opinions they read.  Remember to focus on the pre-highlighted stuff.

Wednesday, October 29, 2014 (45 min)

Topic: Group presentations on the Planned Parenthood v. Casey case. Be prepared to take notes on what your classmates report.

Homework: Try to think of intelligent questions to ask Mr. Blaum tomorrow.

Thursday, October 30, 2014 (45 min)

Topic: Guest presenter Mr. Blaum will come by to give us the perspective of how legislators react to judicial opinions, as well as the background of the law that was partially overturned in Planned Parenthood v. Casey. He will also give some insights into the role that abortion plays in American politics.

Homework: Please read the syllabus and majority opinion in Bowers v. Hardwick.  I would also like you to read the concurrences by Justice Powell and Chief Justice Burger as well as the dissents by Justice Stevens and Justice Blackmun. Justice Blackmun's is the only one that is really long. Do your best to read them for tomorrow, and come to class with a brief to turn in. 

Friday, October 31, 2014 (45 minutes)

Topic: Discussion of Bowers.

Homework: None.  Catch up with reading if you need to.