Reading: The reading will consist of the controlling Opinions rendered in each case, although the use of Oyez.com as a source will allow participants to either increase or decrease their gathering of information as a summary, broadcast of the oral argument, individual opinions, or a syllabus. Each of these options is available – in addition to the controlling Opinion – on the website.

Case references: (Each case has a link to access a summary and opinion “View Case” – the use of Oyez.org allows for a complete access to each case without multiple sources.)

Session 1: Race

In the past few years we have seen a growing amount of violence between Americans of different ethnic and religious values, the action challenging the future application of established cases.

Plessy v. Ferguson 163 U.S. 537 (1896) A challenge to segregations of railway travel. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/163us537

Korematsu v. United States 323 U.S. 214 (1944) Addresses the internment of Japanese Americans. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/323us214

Brown v. Board of Education 347 U.S. 483 (1954) Challenges racial segregation of school children.https://caselaw.findlaw.com/us-supreme-court/347/483.html

Loving v. Virginia 388 U.S. 1 (1967) Challenges the illegality of interracial marriage. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1966/395

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke 438 U.S. 265 (1978) Addresses the equity of affirmative action.https://www.oyez.org/cases/1979/76-811

Dred Scott v. Sandford 60 U.S. 393 (1857) Challenges whether location affects emancipation. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1850-1900/60us393

Session 2: Abortion

Access to an abortion is a current challenge in many states, affecting the understanding of a woman’s body and subsequently raising the question of constitutional identity during pregnancy.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 597 U.S. ___ (2022). Does precedent no longer matter?https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/19-1392

Griswold v. Connecticut 381 U.S. 479 (1965) Is the use of contraception a private matter? https://www.oyez.org/cases/1964/496

Roe v. Wade 410 U.S. 113 (1973) Does a woman have a right to abortion? https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18

Planned Parenthood of Se. Pa. v. Casey 505 U.S. 833 (1992) Is the requirement of another’s consent a violation of a woman’s right to choose?  https://www.oyez.org/cases/1991/91-744

Whole Woman’s Health et al v. Jackson, Judge, District Court of Texas, 114th District, et al No. 21- 463 (2021) Is the inability to “sue” the key to overriding constitutional authority? https://www.oyez.org/cases/2021/21-463

Session 3: LGBTQ

Recent actions by states directly affect the LGBTQ community, even though the actions are indirect in their construction. Will the narrowing of issues override previous rulings?

Bowers v. Hardwick 478 U.S. 186 (1986) Challenges the legality of consensual same-gender sex in one’s own bedroom. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1985/85-140

Lawrence v. Texas 539 U.S. 558 (2003) Basically, does the constitution allow private, adult, consensual sex? https://www.oyez.org/cases/2002/02-102

Romers v. Evans 517 U.S. 620 (1996) Challenges discrimination based on sexual orientation. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1995/94-1039

U.S. v. Windsor 133 S.Ct. 2675 (2013) Challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-307

Hollingsworth v. Perry 133 S.Ct. 2652 (2013) Who gets to decide whether a same-sex marriage is legal?https://www.oyez.org/cases/2012/12-144

Obegefell v. Hodges 576 U.S. ___ (2015) No. 14–556 Is this Dred Scott v. Sandford all over again? https://www.oyez.org/cases/2014/14-556