THE SUPREME COURT – FALL 2024 VIDEOS
Lead Coordinator: Michael Wellner
The Supreme Court is a contemporary issues course that examines the composition of the court and its recent and pending decisions.
NOTE: To view a video click on the link below its description. Once the video window comes up (in a new tab), click on the start button to begin.
THE SUPREME COURT
The Supreme Court and our Future
Presenters: Sandra Abramson, David Judlowitz, Michael Wellner
Presentation Date: September 3, 2024
Is there any other factor that may influence the upcoming super-important election more than the Supreme Court? We invite you to join us for a discussion of the impact of the current Court not only on the upcoming election, but more importantly on the future of our country.
THE SUPREME COURT
Affirmative Action
Presenters: Robert Belfort
Presentation Date: September 17, 2024
History and discussion of the US Supreme Court’s long and winding road on affirmative action.
THE SUPREME COURT
Separation of Church and State
Presenters: Ilene Winkler
Presentation Date: October 1, 2024
The current Supreme Court majority has hijacked the First Amendment guarantee of free exercise of religion and separation of church and state, turning it into a defense of discrimination in the name of religious liberty.
How did this happen? We will begin by looking at why our founding fathers included this guarantee in the Constitution and examine the counterclaims that the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation—something that many Americans still believe. Then we will look at some of the recent cases on religious liberty as well as renewed controversies over school prayer, the Ten Commandments in schools, and public funding of religious private schools. There will be time for discussion and perhaps disagreements.
THE SUPREME COURT
The Many Questions of Clarence Thomas
Presenters: Babette Ceccotti
Presentation Date: October 15, 2024
How does a Black conservative originalist interpret the Constitution? In many ways as it turns out. In his 33 years on the Supreme Court Clarence Thomas has used his opinions to explain why policies like affirmative action and school integration do not solve underlying problems of racial inequality. His opinions on criminal justice matters are often sharp and jarring. He favors expansive free speech rights — but not for high school students, and definitely not for cross-burnings. We will see how his life and views as a black conservative are reflected in some of the many opinions of Clarence Thomas.
THE SUPREME COURT
The Many Questions of Clarence Thomas
Presenters: Babette Ceccotti
Presentation Date: October 29, 2024
The First Amendment is one sentence, only forty-five words long, but its important role in protecting the freedom of religion and freedom of speech in the United States cannot be overestimated. This presentation will give an outline of the amendment, exploring in depth important Supreme Court cases of the last few years.
THE SUPREME COURT
John Roberts
Presenters: Sandra Abramson
Presentation Date: November 12, 2024
Who is Chief Justice John Roberts? Where did he come from? Where is he going? With whom is he going? Does he know what it means to “call balls and strikes?” Does he have any core beliefs? Or does he bend with the wind? So many questions, some with answers and others with none. We’ll look at his background and how he became Chief Justice and what he has done in this position. We’ll also conjecture on where he might go if/when the composition of the court changes in the next four years!
THE SUPREME COURT
The Role of the Supreme Court — As Envisioned by the Founding Fathers, and After the Recent Election
Presenters: Bob Gottfried, Sandra Abramson, Bob Belfort, Babette Ceccotti, Sandy Kessler, Stu Parker and Ken Sasmor
Presentation Date: December 3, 2024
We invite you to join us for what is sure to be one of the more interesting and relevant Supreme Court classes of this semester. Led by Bob Gottfried, the presenters noted above will lead a panel discussion on the likely role of the Court in light of the Republican sweep in the recent election, and its likely effect on all of us. We promise a fascinating and important class.