Friday, October 2, 2015

Posts for October 2, 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 (5th ed.) student textbook.

The Common Core Raises Questions About Teachers' Questioning Skills [EdWeek, 10/1/15]: There are no stupid questions. But when it comes to the common core, teachers are finding that their questions could be asking a lot more of students. A number of new PD initiatives aim to help teachers elicit more complex responses and interpretations from students.

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

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

Oregon School Shooting Renews Frustration Cycle [CNS, 10/2/15]: A mass shooting that left 10 dead in Oregon on Thursday has renewed tension about how the United States handles these tragedies, whether by media saturation of the killer's mindset or by impotently debating gun-control laws.

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

Arne Duncan Stepping Down [EdLaw Profs Blog, 10/2/15]: Read his press release:

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

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)


Governor approves 'yes means yes' sexual consent education for California high schools [AP / CPR, 10/1/15]: Gov. Jerry Brown has approved legislation aimed at making California the first state in the nation to bring lessons about sexual consent required at many colleges into high schools, his office announced Thursday. 

California Extends Libel Protection to Internet News [CNS, 10/1/15]: In a victory for online content and speech, California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill adding libel protections to Internet publications into law Monday. Assembly Bill 998 amends existing libel statues that applied solely to newspapers to add "daily or weekly news publications" in either print or electronic formats.

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

 

High Court Takes Up Search & Seizure in Utah Drug Case [CNS, 10/1/15]: The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to review whether evidence in a drug possession case should have been suppressed because the arresting officer didn't have reasonable cause to stop the suspect.

http://www.courthousenews.com/2015/10/01/high-court-takes-up-search-seizure-in-utah-drug-case.htm

Read the appealed Utah Supreme Court decision in Utah v. Strieff:

https://www.utcourts.gov/opinions/supopin/Strieff150116.pdf

 

Texas, top state for executions, may go a year without a death penalty conviction [Reuters, 10/1/15]: Texas may end 2015 without imposing a sentence of capital punishment, a milestone that parallels declining public support for capital punishment in a state that had been sending the most prisoners to the death chamber.

 

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

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

Republicans Continue Their War on Women [Justia, 10/2/15]: John W. Dean describes congressional Republicans’ continued war on women, this time as manifested in their treatment of Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood.

Friedrichs v. CTA: Supreme Court Case Could Topple Protections for Teachers Union Fees [Cal Lawyer, 10/1/15]: Nonunion teachers are challenging opt-out rules in a controversial case. TOPIC 39 in our Con Law student text has a summary of this case for the students to argue.
In the meantime…Judge Rejects Suit to Let Teachers' Union Members Avoid Political Spending [School Law Blog, 10/1/15]: A federal district judge has dismissed a lawsuit that sought to allow teachers to join unions but opt out of paying the portion of dues that go for political expenses.
Read the ruling in Bain v. C.T.A. at:

SCOTUS Takes Up Former Cop's Retaliation Case [CNS, 10/2/15]: The Supreme Court agreed Thursday to consider whether the First Amendment bars a local government from demoting an employee because of his perceived support of a particular political candidate.
Read the 3rd Circuit ruling in Hefernan v. City of Paterson which was appealed:

International Law, Citizenship and Immigration [TOPIC 40-42]


If you can't do this deal...go back to Tehran [Politico, 9/25/15]: They made 69 trips across the Atlantic together and celebrated nearly everyone’s birthday at least once overseas, far from their own families. Sleep-deprived and sometimes giddy, the U.S. team negotiating a nuclear deal with Iran imagined which Hollywood star would play them if the movie were ever mad


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