Step Two: Review Background of Case
Discuss with students the background facts of the case from various sources including news articles, any briefs submitted and the Court's Docket.
Read additional resources for further background on the case.
The Supreme Court Docket on the case
Duke Law School synopsis of the case
Abstract, participants and more from Oyez.org
Step Three: Watch/Read Oral Argument in Case
U.S. Supreme Court Oral Argument in
Guantanamo Detainees Case, 4/20/04
(1 hour 5 minutes)
Argument transcript
Download Worksheet
Directions: Have students listen to the oral argument in its entirety in class or as an out-of-class assignment. Students will:
note the strength of the arguments on each side
track the Justice's questions
identify their own opinion on the case
Step Four: Mock Court
Have students hold a mock federal court by acting as justices and attorneys to summarize the argument on each side. Select nine students to serve as justices and then divide the remaining students into two groups. Each group will work on their argument and select an "attorney" to present their side to the justices. Have each attorney present their argument to the court. The justices will then confer to reach an opinion.
Step Five: Review the Court's Opinions
Ask students' for their opinions on the case, the attorneys' arguments and the Justices' questions. Compare the students' opinions to Court's Opinion about the case. Have students evaluate the function and procedures of the federal courts.
Use the same procedures to explore other recent cases including Rumsfeld vs. Padilla, Hamdi vs. Rumsfeld, and Cheney vs. U.S. District Court.
IN THE COMMUNITY
Supreme Court Oral Arguments
Use the audio of the oral argument in this and