Posts for November 19, 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:

No Parental Rights in Children's Education? What Scalia Is Missing [EdLawProfs Blog, 11/19/15]: Addressing a first-year class at Georgetown University Law Center a few days ago, United States Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia shared his view that there is no fundamental Constitutional right of a parent to direct the education and upbringing of their children. 

http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/education_law/2015/11/no-parental-rights-in-childrens-education-what-scalia-is-missing.html

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:

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

A Grand Bargain With Putin Against ISIS? [Huff Post, 11/16/15]: What follows is not very pretty. But it may be the best option available in a crisis without good options. Thanks for reader Mark Cowherd for this article:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-kuttner/a-grand-bargain-with-putin-against-isis_b_8570252.html

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:

Republicans 2016: A Contracting List of True Contenders [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 11/19/15]: The atrocities in Paris over the weekend show that events can and will inject new issues into the presidential contest or intensify ones that already exist. But it’s important to remember that what dominates news today might not be what dominates it a month from now, and we still have two and a half months until the primary season begins and nearly a year before the general election.

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/republicans-2016-a-new-shape-for-the-field/

Democrats 2016: Clinton’s Cloak of Inevitability [Sabato’s Crystal Ball, 11/19/15]: Every Republican debate appears consequential because of the large number of candidates, the changing cast of characters on stage, and the clashes among controversial colorful contenders on hot-button topics. The same cannot be said on the Democratic side. 

http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/democrats-2016-clintons-cloak-of-inevitability/

Money and clout on the line for teachers union in 2016 [CalMatters, 11/18/15]: The California Teachers Association, one of Sacramento’s most powerful interests, is heading into an extraordinary year with decisions on the ballot, in the Capitol and in the courts holding the potential to impact its clout for many years to come.

http://calmatters.org/articles/money-and-clout-on-the-line-for-teachers-union-in-2016/

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

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

The Unfolding Campaign to Save the Death Penalty [The Marshall Project, 11/19/15]: Supporters rally around a more efficient system of execution.

https://www.themarshallproject.org/2015/11/19/the-unfolding-campaign-to-save-the-death-penalty?ref=hp-1-121

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:

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

Background on the Harvard Crimson article. Again thanks to avid reader and sometimes contributor, teacher Mark Cowherd of Piedmont (CA.) High School:

http://www.snopes.com/2015/11/17/harvard-crimson-jewish-refugees/