Mr. Schwartz

Bronx School of Law and Finance

Webquest

Freedom of the Press

Introduction

The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights states:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

During the 20^th century the Supreme Court has dealt with cases that challenged the right of freedom of the press. A landmark case is Schenke V. United States (1919).

Task

Using Compulegal locate the Schenke V. United States supreme court case. This will be located under Freedom of the Press Cases. You will:

• Discuss the facts of the case
• Discuss the viewpoint of the case from Schenke’s perspective
• Discuss the viewpoint of the case from the United States perspective
• Discuss if you or agree or disagree with the Supreme Court ruling. Give reasons for your opinion
• Use the TouroLaw Website site to add additional information to the view points and court ruling

Process

1. Visit the Compulegal and Touro Law School website and read the Schenke V. United States case and decision.

For each, type a half page:

2. Describing the facts of the case.
3. Describing the case from Schenke’s perspective (i.e. Why he feels justified? and Why the U.S. Government is wrong?
4. Describing the case from the United States Perspective (i.e. Why they felt justified? And Why the U.S. Government is correct ?)
5. Discussing your opinion of the decision

For steps 2-5 you must include information from an outside source other than Compulegal

Resources

Compulegal

TouroLaw Website

Project TIPS

United States Supreme Court

Visual of Schenke vs. United States

Ask a question to Ask a Legal Eagle

Evaluation

Grade A (90-100)

· Showed a complete and detailed understanding of the topic and task

· Successfully completed all aspects of the ask including using at least two resources (i.e. Compulegal and TouroLaw)

· Richly supported the task using relevant facts and examples

· The paper was typed and checked for spelling and grammatical errors

Grade B (80-90)

• Showed a good understanding of the topic and task
• Successfully completed all aspects of the task including using at least two resources (i.e. Compulegal and TouroLaw)
• Included relevant facts and examples to support opinions and perspectives
• The paper was typed and checked for spelling and grammatical errors

Grade C (70-80)

• Showed a satisfactory understanding of the topic and task
• Completed most aspects of the task
• Included some facts and examples to support opinions and perspectives but not in depth
• The paper was typed and checked for spelling and grammatical errors

Grade D (65)

• Showed little understanding of the topic or task
• Attempted to address task but provided little relevant information
• Included little facts and examples
• The paper was typed and had minor spelling and grammatical errors

Grade F (55)

• Did not address the topic or task
• Included no relevant facts and examples
• Paper not typed and many spelling and grammatical errors

New York Standards

· Civics, Citizenship, and Government

Students will use a variety of intellectual skills to demonstrate their understanding of the necessity for establishing governments; the governmental system of the United States and other nations; the United States Constitution; the basic civic values of American constitutional democracy; and the roles, rights, and responsibilities of citizenship, including avenues of participation

Conclusion

If you successfully completed this assignment you have demonstrated:

• An ability to use the internet to research a topic and complete a task
• An ability to analyze a case form different perspectives
• An ability to form an independent opinion using relevant facts