“The Supreme Court”

Answer each question below carefully. The objective of this assignment is to assess whether or not you understood the major themes and concepts for the chapter on “The Supreme Court”. Use your own words in responding to these short essay questions. (10 points total) You must submit your responses in word document format using the "Browse My Computer" button on the assignment submission page, which can be found by clicking the title of this assignment above. Responses should be limited to two or three single-spaced pages. In your answers, please number each response accordingly. Use ‘12’ inch size Times New Roman font; with one inch margins throughout. 

1. Discuss the problems inherent in interpreting statutes and the Constitution. How do the courts try to resolve these problems?

2. How did the Supreme Court use judicial review to change American society?

3. What was John Marshall’s impact on the history of the Supreme Court, and federalism?

4. How important is wealth to access the legal system?

5. Identify the major checks on judicial power. Are they effective or ineffective in limiting judicial action?

6. Should there be term limits for Supreme Court justices?

7. How does the Americans with Disabilities Act demonstrate the law-making ability of the court system?

8. How are judges, especially Supreme Court justices, selected? How political is the process? What can be done, if anything, to fix the process?

9. In what ways was Bush v. Gore a political decision?