About the Course
Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes stated that the law is both a mirror and a motor for society. Landmark cases frequently have an impact well beyond the courtroom, reflecting deeper truths about America and driving both legal and social thinking in new directions. But what does it mean when the Supreme Court changes direction and abandons its own precedent? Historical cases like Marbury v. Madison, Lochner v. New York, Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown v. Board of Education, and more recent cases like Roe v. Wade and Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Clinic, Obergefell v. Hodges, Chevron v. NRDC, Nixon v. Fitzgerald and Trump v. United States show a court and country grappling with changing values and the impact these changes have on people's lives. This history course examines cases related to civil rights, due process, and the power and limit of the government within their historical, political, and social contexts. You and your classmates will develop your close-reading and persuasive-writing skills by engaging in debates, simulations, group projects, and individual research, and learn to analyze and critique the most important legal decisions in America, from the ratification of the Constitution to today.
Typical Class Size: 16-18
Learning Objectives
- Explain the important elements and ideas embedded in the founding documents of the U.S.
- Construct accurate arguments with evidence to support their conclusions about U.S. history or law
- Evaluate the impact of key events or topics on U.S. history and legal thinking
- Assess the role of race, ethnicity, class, gender, religion, socioeconomic status or other relevant identities in shaping access to, and protection by, the legal system throughout U.S. history
- Research historical and legal topics using primary and secondary resources
About Advanced Enrichment courses
These courses offer above-grade-level material that is presented in a novel context, explored with other advanced learners, and guided by a CTY educator to help prepare students for higher-order thinking and college-style academic challenges.
Requirements
CTY courses have grade-level requirements and most require minimum test scores. Some courses may also have prerequisites.
Identification DetailsDates and Tuition
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Registration Fee and Financial Aid
Tuition and fees will be waived or reduced for students who qualify for financial aid.
Learn more about Financial Aid