Practice Problems: Constitution
1. Reddit is a network of communities based on people’s interests. They have sub-communities called sub-reddits. A popular sub-reddit is a forum titled r/explainlikeimfive. It is the best forum on the internet for layperson-friendly explanations. You decide to start a new sub-reddit titled r/explainlikeiamalawstudent. It will be the best forum on the internet for layperson-friendly law explanations. Your task is as follows:
Part 1: Identify a real-world issue that relates to an aspect of the Constitution or its amendments that were discussed in Law 520 this week. A real-world issue can be one that you have experienced or read about. Summarize the relevant section of the Constitution involved. You can include case law to support Constitutional interpretation. [3 points]
Part 2: Analyze the issue and how the law applies to it. [4 points]
Part 3: Make up a Test Question: Draft a hypothetical/scenario that incorporates the facts and issues you have identified in step 1. [3 points]
Note: Please answer question #1, part 1 and part 2 using the IRAC format. Use paragraphs, not bullet-points, to answer the question. Do not include the prompt in your answer.
2. During a broadcasting of a presidential debate, a candidate claims that if elected president, he would “overturn landmark Supreme Court precedent, Roe v. Wade.” George Stephanopoulos, the moderator of the debate, reminds the presidential candidate that neither the president nor the executive branch can overturn precedent.
The same candidate also suggests that he would “fire all federal judges of Hispanic ancestry if elected president.” In response to this claim, fellow debaters indicate that the candidate has misunderstood the Constitution’s very principles, namely separation of powers and checks and balances.
As chief of NPR’s fact-checking service, how would you clarify each statement presented above to the public?
What is fact-checking? It is a process that seeks to verify information to promote the integrity and correctness of reporting.
What format should I follow?
Identify the incorrect statement.
Analyze why it’s wrong.
Provide the correct answer supporting your answer with relevant background and authorities.
Examples
Factchecker.org
NY Times
