A Look at the Major Cases the Supreme Court Will Take Up in Its New Term

Warm-Up Questions

1. When does the Supreme Court's new term begin?
2. What are some decisions the Supreme Court has already handed down since President Donald Trump took office? What new cases will the Court be hearing?
3. Who is Lisa Cook?
4. How has Chief Justice John Roberts traditionally decided cases when it comes to executive power, according to the two experts?
5. How does the Supreme Court provide a check on the executive and legislative branches of government?

What Students Can Do

Learn more about the checks and balances and the separation of powers.

1. Watch the American Experience video (1 minute) via PBS Learning Media here. The historians discuss what John Adams had in mind for an independent judiciary when he crafted the constitution for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Put yourself in Adams' shoes. Do you think he'd be satisfied with the current federal system of checks and balances? Explain.

   Look up your state's constitution here or here. You may want to use the background essay and discussion questions located on the right side of the page.

2. What other issues will the Supreme Court decide on this session? Conduct some research. You may wish to start with this case the Court will hear on a Hawaii gun reform law:

   

   Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.