1.  starter activity How liberal or conservative are your views? Take the test and your teacher will reveal the results. Are there any other questions you should ask?

2. Results 1. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 2. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 3. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 4. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 5. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 6. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 7. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 8. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 9. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 10. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 11. Agree (l) Disagree (c) 12. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 13. Agree (c) Disagree (l) 14. Agree (c) Disagree (l) Which side of the argument do you generally side with – liberal or conservative?  If there is no clear picture how could you describe yourself? No prizes for guessing Hayley’s views on these issues!

3. Who are the members of the Supreme Court To present research into the current membership of the SC To evaluate the philosophy of the justices  Learning objectives  Key words: conservative liberal

5. Back row (left to right): Sonia Sotomayor, Stephen G. Breyer, Samuel A. Alito, Elena Kagan. Front row Clarence Thomas, Antonin Scalia, Chief Justice John G Roberts, Anthony Kennedy, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Roberts Court: 2005-

6.  Your task Read p.291-292 and define what is meant by: Read p.291-292 and define what is meant by: Strict constructionist Strict constructionist Loose constructionist Loose constructionist Choose two individuals shown in your picture of the Supreme Court justices and label them, explaining which of the two categories they fall into and why Choose two individuals shown in your picture of the Supreme Court justices and label them, explaining which of the two categories they fall into and why Identify and explain the ‘swing justice’ Identify and explain the ‘swing justice’  Choose other justices from the presentations and label them accordingly and explain  Choose other justices from the presentations and label them accordingly and explain

7.  Your task Read Bennett, p.293-4 and note down what is meant by these terms: Read Bennett, p.293-4 and note down what is meant by these terms: Judicial activism Judicial activism Judicial restraint Judicial restraint Note down evidence from theorists on these matters Note down evidence from theorists on these matters  Why do you think judicial activists are more often criticised in the US than those who apply restraint in their judgements?  Why do you think judicial activists are more often criticised in the US than those who apply restraint in their judgements?

8.  Extension task Read David McKay’s, ‘American Politics and Society’, p.324-330 and take notes on the factors which have influenced decision-making in the Supreme Court Read David McKay’s, ‘American Politics and Society’, p.324-330 and take notes on the factors which have influenced decision-making in the Supreme Court

9. Who are the members of the Supreme Court To present research into the current membership of the SC To evaluate the philosophy of the justices  Learning objectives  Key words: conservative liberal Plenary