The Supreme Court has the power to interpret the Constitution. Its rulings on cases determine the meaning of laws and acts of Congress and the president. During oral arguments, attorneys for each side of a case present their positions to the Court and respond to questions from the Justices. Prior to the oral arguments, each side submits a legal brief which are reviewed by the Justices so they have complete understanding of the facts of the case and the positions of each party. In this lesson students will examine both sides of a 2019-2020 Supreme Court case and determine its significance to the U.S. Culminating activities may include a mock trial or moot court.
STEP 1.
As a class, view the videos below to learn about the process and importance of oral arguments during a Supreme Court case.
Video Clip: Supreme Court Oral Arguments (7:42)
How long are the oral arguments for most cases in the Supreme Court? Why are they limited to this time?
What is most time during an oral argument spent on? Why do you think this is the case?
Explain at least three key points that the justices or attorneys shared about the questioning period. What similarities and differences do you notice from these views?
Video Clip: How the Teleconference Supreme Court Oral Arguments will Work
How will teleconferencing oral arguments work?
STEP 2.
Select a Supreme Court case from below and complete the chart as you listen to the oral arguments. The list of oral arguments will be updated as the Supreme Court term continues.
RESOURCES
HANDOUT: Supreme Court Oral Arguments Notetaking Chart (Google Doc)
VIDEO
October 7, 2019 Ramos v. Louisiana (35:57)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
October 7, 2019 Kahler v. Kansas (1:02:29)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
October 8, 2019 R.G.& G.R. Harris Funeral Homes v. EEOC (57:49)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
October 8, 2019 Sexual Orientation Consolidated (1:02:12)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
October 16, 2019 Mathena v. Malvo (1:03:24)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
November 4, 2019 Kansas v. Glover (1:01:40)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
November 12, 2019 Department of Homeland Security v. Regents of the University of California (1:23:48)
Key Questions in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
November 12, 2019 Hernandez v. Mesa (1:02:20)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
November 12, 2019 Comcast Corporation v. National Association of African-American Owned Media (59:30)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
December 2, 2019 New York State Rifle and Pistol v. City of New York (1:03:13)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
January 14, 2020 Kelly v. United States (1:01:12)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
January 22, 2020 Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue (1:02:53)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
February 25, 2020 United States v. Sineneng-Smith (59:54)
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
March 4, 2020 Louisiana Department of Health Consolidated 1:00:01
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 4, 2020 Patent and Trademark Office v. Booking.com B.V. Oral Argument
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 5, 2020 USAID v. Alliance For Open Society International, Inc
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 6, 2020 Little Sisters of the Poor Saints Peter and Paul Home v. Pennsylvania(1:40:03)
Key Questions in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
Does the petitioner in this case have judicial standing?
VIDEO
May 11, 2020 McGirt v. Oklahoma
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 11, 2020 Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Agnes Morrissey-Berru
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 12, 2020 Trump v. Mazars USA/Trump v. Deutsche Bank
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 12, 2020 Trump v. Vance
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 13, 2020 Chiafalo v. Washington
Key Question in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
VIDEO
May 13, 2020 Colorado Department of State v. Baca
Key Questions in Case (as listed on Oyez.org):
Do the petitioners in this case, the presidential electors, have judicial standing to sue the state of Colorado over a law requiring them to vote in the Electoral College for the winner of the popular vote in that state?
STEP 3.
As a class, discuss the main arguments on both sides in the case, and explain its significance to the U.S.
STEP 4.
Choose an activity from C-SPAN Classroom's Deliberations site to engage in a structured student-centered analysis of the case.