POL/115 v4
Copyright 2020 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
U.S. Supreme Court Worksheet
Part I:
Research and respond to the following 5 U.S. Supreme Court questions. Use academically appropriate
websites for your research, and cite your sources. Each response should include at least 50 words, and
you are encouraged to incorporate this week’s vocabulary terms into your responses. i
1. How was the Supreme Court formed?
In the United States of America, the Supreme Court was formed when the Judicial Act of 1789 was
passed by Congress and it was signed by the then U.S. President George Washington (A&E
Television Networks, 2009). The Supreme Court serves as the highest court in the federal court
system of the nation and encompasses six justices.
2. What powers are granted to the Supreme Court?
The powers that have been granted to the Supreme Court include establishing the boundaries of
authority between the nation and state, state and state and citizen and government, serving as the last
resort for ensuring justice, and ensuring all the branches of the government identify the limits of their
own power (About the Supreme Court. United States Courts, 2021). i
3. How does someone get appointed to the Supreme Court?
An individual can get appointed to the Supreme Court only when the U.S. President nominates him or
her for a vacancy on the court and the Senate also casts its vote for confirming the nominee. Thus,
both the Legislative and Executive branches of the federal government influence the Supreme Court
composition (Supreme Court of the United States, 2021).
4. What are the roles and responsibilities of the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court serves as the final arbiter of the law and it is charged with the responsibility of
ensuring that all the American citizens are assured equal justice under the law. i It plays the role of the
interpreter and guardian of the U.S. Constitution (Supreme Court of the United States, 2021). The
terms ‘Equal Justice Under Law’ expresses the ultimate responsibility of the U.S. Supreme Court.
5. How does the Supreme Court interact with the other 2 U.S. government branches? Consider the
concept of checks and balances.
The Supreme Court interacts with the other two U.S. government branches namely the legislative
branch and the executive branch by implementing the ‘Checks and Balances System.’ The system
influences how the Supreme Court engages with the other branches, keeps a check on the other
branches and prevents them from being excessively powerful (Legal Information Institute, 2021).
Part II:
Research the following Supreme Court cases:
U.S. Supreme Court Worksheet
POL/115 v4
Page 2 of 3
Copyright2020 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
• Brown v. Board of Education
• Roe v. Wade i
• United States v. Nixon
Answer each of the 3 questions below separately for each case in a minimum of 50 words. Use
academically appropriate websites for your research, and cite your sources. You are encouraged to
incorporate this week’s vocabulary terms into your responses. i
1. What was the case about?
The Brown v. Board of Education case was about racial segregation in public schools in the United
States of America (Legal Information Institute, 2021).
The Roe v. Wade case was about the freedom of pregnant women to make decision about abortion
without strict government restrictions (Roe & Wade., 2021).
The United States v. Nixon case was about limiting the power of U.S. presidents (in the case - Richard
Nixon) for claiming executive privilege.
2. What did the Supreme Court decide?
In the Brown v. Board of Education case, the Supreme Court decided that racial segregation in the
public schools of the U.S. was unconstitutional (Roe & Wade., 2021).
In the Roe v. Wade case, the Supreme Court decided to safeguard a pregnant woman’s freedom to
decide to have an abortion without extreme government restrictions.
In the United States v. Nixon case, the Supreme Court decided to limit the power of every U.S.
president for making claims for executive privileges.
i
3. How did that decision affect American society?
The decision regarding the Brown v. Board of Education case affected the American society by paving
the way for integration, supporting the fight against racial discrimination and making the civil rights
movement victorious.
The decision regarding the Roe v. Wade case affected the American society by empowering women
and ensuring their constitutional rights relating to privacy (abortion) were protected.
The decision regarding the United States v. Nixon case affected the American society by showing that
people with power such as presidents could not shield themselves from criminal proceedings based
on executive privilege doctrine (Supreme Court of the United States, 2021).
References
U.S. Supreme Court Worksheet
POL/115 v4
Page 3 of 3
Copyright2020 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.
About the Supreme Court. United States Courts. (2021). Retrieved January 29, 2022, from
https://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/educational-resources/about-educational-
outreach/activity-resources/about
A&E Television Networks. (2009, November 24). The first U.S. Supreme Court. History.com.
Retrieved January 29, 2022, from https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/the-first-
supreme-
court#:~:text=The%20Judiciary%20Act%20of%201789,court%20until%20death%20or%2
0retirement.
Legal Information Institute. (2021). Separation of powers. Legal Information Institute. Retrieved
January 29, 2022, from
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/separation_of_powers_0#:~:text=For%20example%2C%
20Congress%20has%20the,3%20vote%20in%20both%20houses.
Roe, J., & Wade., V. H. (2021). Legal Information Institute. Retrieved January 29, 2022, from
https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/410/113
Supreme Court of the United States. (2021). Retrieved January 29, 2022, from
https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/faq_general.aspx#:~:text=How%20are%20Supreme
%20Court%20Justices,composition%20of%20the%20Supreme%20Court.
