Procedures

• STEP 1.

  As a class, view the following videos and answer the questions below to lay the foundation for students to understand this case:

  VIDEO CLIP: Historical Context (6:08)

  VIDEO CLIP: Background and Legal Process (5:46)

  • Explain the TX law that was being contested.

  • Describe the circumstances involving Norma McCorvey that led to this case.

  • Explain the legal process that Norma McCorvey took as this case made its way through the state courts.

  • According to Clarke Forsythe, what is the problem associated with the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade?

  • Explain Henry Wade's role in the case.

  • Explain the ruling by the three judge federal panel.

• STEP 2.

  Students can either work independently or in groups to view the following video clips. They should take notes using the handout below:

  • Handout: Supreme Court Case: Roe v. Wade (Google Doc)

• VIDEO CLIP: Questions before the Court and Oral Arguments (3:32)

  • Describe the four questions before the Supreme Court in Roe v. Wade.

  • Explain the key points for both sides in the oral arguments before the Court.

  • What are the problems with the first oral arguments according to Clarke Forsythe?

• VIDEO CLIP: The First Conference (4:08)

  • Explain the frustration that developed among the Justices during the first conference following the hearing of Roe v. Wade.

  • Why did the case end up being re-argued? Describe the reactions of the Justices to it being re-argued.

• VIDEO CLIP: Second Oral Argument (2:57)

  • What are some of the challenges for the attorneys in arguing the case before the Court according to Clarke Forsythe?

  • Describe the arguments for both sides during the rehearing of Roe v. Wade.

  • How did the arguments differ from the first hearing?

• VIDEO CLIP: The Decision (2:36)

  • How did the Court answer the four key questions of the case?

  • Explain the majority opinion of Justice Harry Blackmun.

  • Explain the dissenting opinion of Justice Byron White.

  • Describe the events and dynamics of the Court during the announcement of the opinion.

• VIDEO CLIP: Impact and Legacy I (0:43)

• VIDEO CLIP: Impact and Legacy II (1:24)

  • Explain the significance and legacy of the Roe v. Wade case to law and society.

• STEP 3.

  As a class, discuss the significance of this case, the precedent it set, and its legacy.

• STEP 4.

  Choose an activity from C-SPAN Classroom's Deliberations site to engage in a structured student-centered analysis of the case.