Interest Groups and the United States Supreme Court
Grade
9-12
Lesson Duration
From Street Law
As a result of this lesson, students will be able to:
- define the terms: interest group, writ of certiorari, and amicus brief
- explain how interest groups influence the United States Supreme Court at two stages: when the Court is granting cert and when the Court is deciding a case
- describe how at least one interest group attempted to influence the Court in a particular Supreme Court case
- evaluate whether the influence of interest groups on the Supreme Court is positive or negative
Materials Needed
−Computer lab with internet access for all students, especially on Day One and Day Two
−Handouts and transparencies:
- Initial Reflection About The Influence Of Interest Groups
- Background Notes—Interest Groups and the Supreme Court
- Summary of Research Cases and Interest Groups (Gun Control Case, D.C. v. Heller; Affirmative Action Cases, Gratz v. Bollinger & Grutter v. Bollinger; School Prayer Case, Sante Fe v. Doe; Free Speech/Animal Cruelty Case, U.S. v. Stevens)
- Directions for Sharing Research
Go to: Street Law Resource Library (http://www.streetlaw.org/en/resource_library). Use the filters on the left side of the page to find what you need: Select “Lesson Plan/ Activity” under the “Type” category, then look alphabetically for “Interest Groups and the United States Supreme Court.”