GOVERNMENT: UNIT 5– THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

Unit Summary:

The Judicial Branch is the system of courts which administer justice, and resolve disputes. It typically consists of a court of final appeal (the Supreme Court), and a wide array of local courts. The courts primary responsibility is to interpret the laws that are passed by congress.

Journal Questions:

You are responsible for answering each of the questions below on the day of the unit test. You are expected to provide a one paragraph response to each question.

1. Describe the different levels of our court system, noting what each court does.

2. What is the importance of the US Supreme Court? Explain.

3. What is the importance of the concept of Judicial Review? Explain.

Unit Assignments:

Choose TWO of the following assignments, and turn them in by the due date listed on the unit schedule.

1.  Complete “A Court of Errors” worksheet with all 11 errors identified.

2.  Complete the “Judicial Branch of the United States” graphic organizer, filled in with the proper information from your notes or reading.

3.  Choose any “Landmark Decision” of the Supreme Court, and in approximately 2-3 paragraphs, provide a summary of the key issues in the case, and what the court decided. Remember: copy pasting = zero.

4.  In approximately 2-3 paragraphs, complete the “Why Did She Do It?” assignment. Use the back of the sheet for more room. Be sure you focus on the proper potential causes of crime from your notes.

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GOVERNMENT: UNIT 5– THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

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GOVERNMENT: UNIT 5– THE JUDICIAL BRANCH

Unit Schedule:

DAY / TOPIC / ASSIGNMENTS / DUE TODAY
Day 1
Oct 30/2 / Introduction, Role of the Court
PPT & Discussion, Trial Video / Read Chapter 10, Section 1
Reading Review & Vocabulary
Day 2 Nov 3/4 / District & Federal Courts
PPT & Discussion, Due Process Activity / Read Chapter 10, Section 2
Reading Review & Vocabulary / American Flag
Worksheet
Day 3 Nov 5/6 / The Supreme Court
PPT & Discussion, Boston Legal Video / Read Chapter 10, Section 3
Reading Review & Vocabulary / Unit Assignment 1
Day 4 Nov 9/10 / Landmark Cases, Chapter 10 Quiz
Supreme Court Decisions Activity / Upfront Magazine Reading
Reading Review Q’s
Day 5 Nov 12/13 / Crime in America
PPT & Discussion, Analyzing COPS! / Read Chapter 20, Section 1
Reading Review & Vocabulary / Unit Assignment 2
Day 6 Nov 16/17 / The Criminal Justice Process
PPT & Discussion, Charting a Case / Read Chapter 20, Section 2
Reading Review & Vocabulary
Day 7 Nov 18/19 / Unit Test
Review Game, Unit Test / Unit Test / Journal Questions

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