Posts for October 13, 2015

These are the posts that are accumulated in our newsletter which goes out every 4-6 days during the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Con Law (5^th ed.) student textbook.

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Don't Trump the Supreme Court [USA Today, 10/12/15]: A President Donald's picks for the high court would be anything but conservative.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2015/10/12/trumps-suspect-judicial-credentials-supreme-court-nominations-column/73470706/

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

What top Clinton donors really think [Politico, 10/12/15]: As Hillary Clinton heads into the first Democratic debate Tuesday, some of her top donors and allies are feeling encouraged for the first time in months.

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/hillary-clinton-joe-biden-donors-214668

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

Gov. Brown signs, vetoes key education legislation in days before deadline [EdSource, 10/12/15]:  Here’s what happened to the key education bills EdSource has been tracking. 

http://edsource.org/2015/gov-brown-must-decide-fate-of-exit-exam-other-key-ed-bills/87493

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit

 

Behind one Supreme Court case, the tale of forgiveness for sister's killer [CSM, 10/12/15]: The Supreme Court will hear a case regarding the 2,500 inmates in the US serving life-without-parole sentences for crimes committed as juveniles; Jeanne Bishop lost her sister to one of them.

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Justice/2015/1012/Behind-one-Supreme-Court-case-tale-of-forgiveness-for-sister-s-killer

V. 1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

VI. 14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

California is first in the nation to ban ‘Redskins’ school mascot [EdSource, 10/12/15]:  Home to the largest number of American Indians in the country, California is now the first state in the nation to ban the use of “Redskins” as a school team name or mascot. 

http://edsource.org/2015/california-is-first-in-the-nation-to-ban-redskins-school-mascot/88948

Chicago Area District Rejects Federal Demand to Grant Transgender Student Access to Locker Room [EdLawProfs Blog, 10/13/15]: This past year has brought a supreme court case in Maine, several complaints with the Office for Civil Rights, and federal litigation over transgender students' access to restroom and locker facilities. 

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/education_law/2015/10/chicago-area-district-rejects-federal-demand-to-grant-transgender-student-access-to-locker-room.html