Paper Topic #1- (Paper Due November 4)

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Your paper will be scanned against and/all online sources that may match your paper.  A "compatibility" report will be producing showing how the content of your paper matches the content on online sources. (Plagiarism)  If you have properly used quotations, paraphrasing and/or citations, then you paper will not be considered to be plagiarized.  

If you cut and past directly from an online source, Turnitin.com will score the item as plagiarized and the student will be penalized.  

 

Paper #1   

Topic Paper #1  Download PLSC 200.Paper.#1.pdf

 

PLSC 200 Paper #1 Take Home Essay Questions (100 pts)

Each paper is scored on a 100-point basis. To receive credit, essays must be typed using 8 1/2 x 11 format, 1.5 spacing and one-inch margins on all sides. Use a 10 or 12-point type font that is plain and easy to read. When you have completed your paper it should be uploaded using the link provided.

 

The paper should be least three pages (1200 words)  in length. Please focus on direct and fundamental arguments to answer the question. Research the questions, collaborate with others and support your arguments with facts and quotes. You should cite at least three published individuals who are considered experienced in their field (not just Wikipedia) or use original source material.

 

Please use the MLA format Links to an external site., include a works cited page and cite your sources in the paper as required Links to an external site..

See the link below for WHEN and HOW TO cite your sources

MLA Citation-Purdue Online Writing Lab Links to an external site.

 

You ONLY need to choose one of the following three questions. Each question has sub-questions that need to be answered in the paper

 

 

 

Essay Question#1

The National Government was delegated the power of National Supremacy along with the Necessary and Proper Clause and Commerce to help govern the nation and the states. Define and discuss the evolution of Federalism in the United States.

Your paper should answer these three questions:

 

  1. Discuss how Justice Marshall defined National Supremacy in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and the courts construction of Dual Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?) in Barron v. Baltimore (1833) and Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856).

 

  1. Contrast the Marshall and Taney Court’s rulings with those of Cooperative Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?). Discuss Congress and the Court’s use of the Necessary and Proper Clause, Interstate Commence Clause and 14th Amendment in implementing this stage of federalism.

 

  1. Compare the Supreme Court’s rulings during Cooperative Federalism with the ruling in S. v. Lopez (1995) or any other cases from the Rehnquist or Roberts’ Court defining New Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?).

 

Do not discuss the facts of the cases, but focus on the constitutional issues, legal interpretations and legal arguments involved.

 

Essay Question#2

14th Amendment-Incorporation Doctrine-Due Process Clause

Define the intent of the 14th Amendment. Specifically, state how the passage of the 14th Amendment relates to Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) and Barron v. Baltimore (1833). Why was the 14th Amendment necessary in contrast to the holdings of these two cases?

 

Explain how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment to apply the Bill of Rights to the states (total or selective incorporation). In your answer, briefly discuss how the Court’s intent (not decision) in Gitlow v. New York (1925) and Palko v. Connecticut (1937) has influenced the inclusion of rights to be incorporated into the states.

 

Select a right that has been incorporated into the states and briefly argue the legal reason’s why the Supreme Court defined the right as fundamental.

 

Do not discuss the facts of the cases, but focus on the constitutional issues, legal interpretations and legal arguments involved.

 

 

Essay Question#3

14th Amendment-Equal Protection Clause-

Define the intent of the 14th Amendment. Specifically, state how the passage of the 14th Amendment relates to Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) and Barron v. Baltimore (1833). Why was the 14th Amendment necessary in contrast to the holdings of these two cases?

  • Define the Framer’s objective of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th How did the Supreme Court interpret and implement the Equal Protection Clause in Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) in contrast to Brown v. Board of Education (1954)? (Legal theory and analysis)

 

How has the Equal Protection Clause been interpreted and implemented in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)? How was the Bakke decision applied to the following cases?

  • Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
  • Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)-see the link below.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/supremecourt/future/landmark_grutter.html Links to an external site.

 

 

Do not discuss the facts of the cases, but focus on the constitutional issues, legal interpretations and legal arguments involved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips for writing topic #1

Discuss how Justice Marshall defined National Supremacy in McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and the courts construction of Dual Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?) in Barron v. Baltimore (1833) and Dred Scott v. Sanford (1856).

 

Do not re-state the facts of the case. I know them. Discuss the legal issues constructed in Barron and Dred Scott. How are rights defined and applied according to these cases. Why is it important? Why will the 14thAmendment be required to reverse these case holdings?

 

Contrast the Marshall and Taney Court’s rulings with those of Cooperative Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?). Discuss Congress and the Court’s use of the Necessary and Proper Clause, Interstate Commence Clause and 14th Amendment in implementing this stage of federalism.

 

The Era of Cooperative Federalism dramatically changes the scope and power of the National government. Review major legislation using the Necessary and Proper Clause and Interstate Commence Clause to expand the role and power of congress. How did the Court interpret the Congressional expansion of power? What authority did the 14th Amendment grant to the National Government and the Supreme Court over the states?

 

Compare the Supreme Court’s rulings during Cooperative Federalism with the ruling in U.S. v. Lopez (1995) or any other cases from the Rehnquist or Roberts’ Court defining New Federalism (what is it, when was it applied?).

 

The Reagan Revolution’s impact on the Supreme Court was to appoint justices who would reverse the era of the expansion of government during the period of Cooperative Federalism? How did the Reagan justices interpret the Necessary and Proper Clause and Interstate Commence Clause to re-define the law?

 

Tips for writing topic #2

Define the intent of the 14th Amendment.

What was the Framer’s objective in formulating this Amendment?

 

Specifically, state how the passage of the 14th Amendment relates to Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) and Barron v. Baltimore (1833).

You must show the linkage between the Amendment and these cases

 

Why was the 14th Amendment necessary in contrast to the holdings of these two cases?

This is the legal analysis. If the 14th Amendment was not passed what would be the legal obligation of the states?

 

Explain how the Supreme Court has interpreted the Fourteenth Amendment to apply the Bill of Rights to the states (total or selective incorporation).

Offer an analysis of the types of incorporation and how the Supreme Court has approached this topic.

 

In your answer, briefly discuss how the Court’s intent (not decision) in Gitlow v. New York (1925) and Palko v. Connecticut (1937) has influenced the inclusion of rights to be incorporated into the states.

 

The Supreme Court’s intent is the legal philosophy (defined in these cases) that mandates the implementation of the Bill of Rights in the states.

 

Select a right that has been incorporated into the states and briefly argue the legal reason’s why the Supreme Court defined the right as fundamental.

 

Select a right and offer a legal analysis (with support) as to why the right must be incorporated.

Tips for writing topic #3

Define the intent of the 14th Amendment.

What was the Framer’s objective in formulating this Amendment?

 

Specifically, state how the passage of the 14th Amendment relates to Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) and Barron v. Baltimore (1833).

You must show the linkage between the Amendment and these cases

 

Why was the 14th Amendment necessary in contrast to the holdings of these two cases?

This is the legal analysis. If the 14th Amendment was not passed what would be the legal obligation of the states?

 

Why was the 14th Amendment necessary in contrast to the holdings of these two cases?

Define the Framer’s objective of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

This question requires you to not only look at the 14th Amendment, but also the intent of the Equal Protection Clause. Why did the framers specifically include equal protection?

 

How did the Supreme Court interpret and implement the Equal Protection Clause in Plessey v. Ferguson (1896) in contrast to Brown v. Board of Education (1954)?

You should look to the legal theory and analysis of the court’s decisions in these cases. How did the Supreme Court’s opinion incorporate and define equal protection of the law?

 

How has the Equal Protection Clause been interpreted and implemented in Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978)? How was the Bakke decision applied to the following cases?

  • Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)
  • Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)-see the link below

 

You should look to the legal theory and analysis of the court’s decisions in Bakke. What standards does the court establish for equal protection in Reverse Discrimination. The Grutter and Gratz cases offer a good compare and contrast of the application of scrutiny to the law in applying due process.