Court Case Bonanza!

For the AP Exam you’ll need to know the following court cases related to civil
liberties. These cases are known to show up in both the multiple choice and free
response sections. This activity is designed to support your learning as far as you
want to take it. Should you decide to simply memorize these rulings in flash-card
fashion for short term test regurgitation, you’ll find this tool helpful. On the other
hand, there are some features here that will support those nerds who choose to
go the extra mile and actually (…pause for effect) “learn” these cases.

Instructions:
Read, and commit to memory, the ruling on each case. You may find it helpful to
follow the hyperlinks in the left-hand column which take you to www.oyez.org, a
fabulous resource on the United States Supreme Court. Here you’ll have the
opportunity to read more about the background of the case, and the rationale
behind the Court’s opinion. The true nerds may even click around a bit and listen
to audio files of the oral arguments of the actual case! Generally, the more you
can see each case as a “story,” the better the learning will stick.

After you’ve explored a bit on the case itself, you’ll head over to the web to
conduct an image search. Look for any image/icon, or even a collection of
images, that would help trigger the memory of this case. Sounds a bit like a
visual flashcard, right? Well kids, that’s exactly what it is. After you’ve
completed the entire table (learning about the case and pasting an image to the
right-hand column) you’ll convert this table into a collection of 3”x5” note cards
that your teachers will let you use on our next unit exam. Cool!

Example:

Court Case Ruling Image

U.S. v. U.S. Supreme Court upholds state law

Doolittle, et. requiring public school teachers to
al, 2007 have a valid college degree, instead of
one purchased online.

Paste a related &

memorable image here
for later use in a “visual
flashcard!”
Follow the link in this
column to learn more
about the case!
 Court Case Ruling Image
Question of
Incorporation
Barron v. Baltimore, Claims that the Bill of Rights protections DO
1833 NOT apply to intrusions by state
governments.
Gitlow v. New York, By incorporating the Bill of Rights into the 14th
1925 Amendment, it overturns precedent in
claiming the Bill of Rights DOES apply to state
governments.
Freedom of Religion
(Establishment
Clause)
Reynolds v. U.S., 1878 Rules that religious duty is not sufficient
defense against criminal charges of polygamy
(First Amendment does not protect polygamy
as a religious practice).
School Dist. Of Strikes down practice of school-sponsored
Abington v. Schempp, Bible reading as a violation of the
1963 establishment clause.
Engle v. Vitale, 1962 Strikes down an involuntary, non-
denominational prayer at the beginning of the
school day as a violation of the establishment
clause.
Lemon v. Kurtzman, Establishes a test to determine whether
1971 federal funding to parochial schools violates
the establishment clause.
Wallace v. Jaffree, 1985 Strikes down an Alabama law that allowed
teachers to conduct religious prayer services
and activities during the school day.
Elk Grove School Dist Dismisses a case challenging the
v. Newdow, 2003 constitutionality of the phrase “One Nation
Under God” in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Freedom of Speech
(and Expression)
Miller v. California, Establishes a test for local authorities to
1973 define the nature of “obscenity.”
Virginia v. Black, 2003 Declares cross burning is protected by the
First Amendment as long as the act does not
have the intent to intimidate.
Schenk v. US, 1919 Declares speech will NOT be protected if it
creates a “clear and present danger.”
Bethel v. Fraser, 1988 Declares student speech is NOT protected by
the First Amendment if it lacks value and is
“disruptive of learning.”
Tinker v. Des Moines, Protects “symbolic speech” of students
1968 protesting with armbands.
Texas v. Johnson, 1989 Protects flag burning as “symbolic speech”

Near v. Minnesota, Declares “prior restraint” unconstitutional;

1931 that is, governments cannot suppress or
regulate speech before it is given.
Morse v. Frederick, Upholds the authority of public school
2007 administrators to suspend students for
promoting illegal drugs at a school event
(“Bong Hits for Jesus”).
Freedom of Press
NY Times v. Sullivan, Requires proof of “malicious intent to harm”
1964 in order to prove libel against news
organizations.
Hazelwood v. Upholds the authority of public school
Kuhlmeier, 1987 administrators to censor student newspapers
since they are tools for learning – not forums
of free expression.
Search &
Seizure/Privacy