Instructions: This Assignment Is Comprised Of Two Parts ✓ Solved

Instructionsthis Assignment Is Comprised Of 2 Parts The First Of Whic

This assignment is comprised of 2 parts, the first of which is due this week. Part II will be due in Week 7. In Part I this week, choose a case from your state that involves civil rights or civil liberties that reached the United States Supreme Court. If your state does not have a case that ended up in the U.S. Supreme Court, choose a civil rights case from another state that did. Civil rights refer to equal social opportunities under the law, including rights such as voting, public education, and fair trials, regardless of race or wealth. Civil liberties include freedoms like religion, privacy, and due process.

Research your court case and write an outline to prepare for a presentation—either a narrated PowerPoint, Kaltura Video, or another instructor-approved format. Verify the presentation format with your instructor first. Your assignment should include:

Summary of the Case

In one or two paragraphs, provide an overview of the case—what it is about and how it reached the state high court. Use your own words to present a brief, factual history without opinion or interpretation.

Case Outline

Your case outline should include:

  • Title: Name of the case
  • Facts of the case: Key facts involved in the case
  • History of the case: Legal actions taken based on your state laws
  • Legal questions: Issues the court had to decide
  • Decision or holdings: Which party the court ruled for and the rationale
  • Verdict and opinion: Concurring and dissenting opinions, number of justices for each side, final judgment or jury verdict
  • Summary: Impact of the ruling on citizens and state benefits, presented factually without opinion

The outline should be 1-3 pages long, written in full sentences, and formatted in APA style. It will serve as a reference during your presentation. Use credible sources; avoid Wikipedia. Search for sample case outlines online for guidance. Each item should include a subject sentence and 3-6 bullet points for expansion.

Next week (Week 8), you will create a narrated PowerPoint or video based on this outline. The assignment is worth 200 points. Format requirements include 1-inch margins, double spacing, 12-point Times New Roman font, a title page, and a references page citing at least two scholarly sources in addition to any textbook used.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The Landmark Supreme Court case, Brown v. Board of Education (1954), serves as a pivotal moment in American civil rights history, particularly concerning the issue of racial segregation in public schools. This case originated in Topeka, Kansas, and challenged the legality of segregated educational facilities under the doctrine of 'separate but equal.' The Supreme Court's decision not only declared segregation unconstitutional but also catalyzed the Civil Rights Movement, resulting in substantial legal and societal changes across the United States.

Case Overview

Brown v. Board of Education was initiated by Oliver Brown, a parent of a Black student who was denied admission to a white-only school closer to his home. The case consolidated several similar lawsuits challenging school segregation in various states. The plaintiffs argued that segregation violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law. The case escalated through lower courts until it reached the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear arguments on the constitutionality of racial segregation in public schools.

Facts of the Case

  • Oliver Brown's daughter was denied enrollment at a nearby white elementary school.
  • The schools were segregated based on race, following Jim Crow laws in many states.
  • The plaintiffs contended that segregating children based on race created a sense of inferiority affecting educational development.
  • The NAACP supported the case, providing legal and research backing against segregation.

Legal History and Proceedings

The case challenged the 'separate but equal' doctrine established by Plessy v. Ferguson (1896). Lower courts in Kansas upheld segregation, arguing that it was constitutional under existing laws. However, the NAACP filed an appeal, and the case was brought before the Supreme Court in 1952, with oral arguments in 1953 and a decision issued in 1954.

Legal Issues

  • Does racial segregation in public schools violate the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment?
  • Is 'separate but equal' inherently unequal in the context of public education?

Decision and Rationale

The Supreme Court, in a unanimous decision authored by Chief Justice Earl Warren, held that racial segregation in public schools violated the Equal Protection Clause. The Court reasoned that segregated educational facilities are inherently unequal, undermining the constitutional guarantee of equal treatment. The decision overturned the precedent set by Plessy, explicitly concluding that 'separate educational facilities are inherently unequal.'

Judgment and Opinions

  • The Court ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, declaring segregation unconstitutional.
  • All nine justices concurred in the judgment, though some, like Justice Vinson, dissented in other related cases.
  • The decision mandated desegregation of schools "with all deliberate speed."

Impact and Significance

The ruling in Brown v. Board of Education marked a turning point in civil rights, leading to the desegregation of public facilities and inspiring subsequent civil rights legislation. It challenged entrenched racial inequalities, contributing to societal shifts toward racial equality. The decision faced resistance but ultimately paved the way for greater civil rights protections for marginalized communities.

Conclusion

The Brown v. Board ruling exemplifies the power of judicial decisions to effect social change. Its influence extended beyond education, shaping the broader civil rights movement and fostering a more equitable society. This case remains a foundational example of civil rights litigation impacting policy and societal attitudes in the United States.

References

  • Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954).
  • Dauber, C. (2012). The Supreme Court and the Civil Rights Movement. New York University Press.
  • Kluger, R. (1975). Simple Justice: The History of Brown v. Board of Education and Black America's Struggle for Equality. Vintage Books.
  • Oyez. (n.d.). Brown v. Board of Education. https://www.oyez.org/cases/1940-1955/347us483
  • Wading Through the Legal Landmarks: A Guide to Supreme Court Cases. (2018). Civil Rights History Project.

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