The purpose of this assignment is to apply legal principals from Modules 1 and 2 to a real case.
you may rely on and cite ONLY these three resources in your Post or Replies; you may not cite Internet sources or lecture slides)::
- Chapters 1 and 4 of the textbook (You must have at least one citation to Chapter 1 or Chapter 4 in your Post).
- Watch the ABC News Report: “Westboro Baptist Church Goes to the Supreme Court” (link opens in a new window).
Watch the news report related to Snyder v. Phelps prior to the ruling by the Supreme Court (approximately 8 minutes) and take notes, you will need to provide citations in your post. (You must cite in your Post) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0meqcKTAcMU&ab_channel=ABCNews - Read the Supreme Court’s Snyder v. Phelps decision (You must cite to the court’s decision substantively in your Post)
Snyder v. Phelps decision.pdf Snyder v. Phelps decision.pdf – Alternative Format
You will post your writing assignment related to Snyder v. Phelps and the First Amendment in the Group Discussion board below.
Background: Mr. Snyder sued Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church for intentional infliction of emotional distress (among other claims) due to the church picketing on public property near his son’s funeral. The jury awarded Snyder nearly $11 million. As you know from chapter 4 of the textbook and the lecture, a government actor is required to allege a violation of rights protected by the Bill of Rights and in the Snyder v Phelps case, the court is the government actor (through the trial court awarding $10.9 million in damages). Phelps’ argument is that their First Amendment (free speech) rights are violated by the government (court) in enforcing the jury award, which makes the case a First Amendment case.
Address the following prompt in your post:
Based on the law and the court decision, why did the Supreme Court rule that Westboro Baptist Church’s speech was protected? Explain using thorough legal analysis with at least five citations as explained above.
Remember you will fail this assignment and face a possible referral to the Office of Academic Integrity if you QUOTE, CUT/PASTE FROM ANY RESOURCE, INCLUDING THE ASSIGNED MATERIAL, or use/rely on any resources, including classmates, the lecture slides, or Internet sources, other than the three resources (textbook, video, Snyder v. Phelps decision) in the Assigned Material (see the box above labeled “Prepare for Writing Assignment/Discussion #1). In addressing the prompt below (in red and italicized), you must cite to Assigned Material in your Post and Replies (see below). You may use the lectures and lectures slides for your own learning and background, but you may not cite to the lectures or lecture slides in your Post or Replies (you will be able to find a similar reference in the textbook).
If you chose to complete this writing assignment, watch ABC News report: “Westboro Baptist Church Goes to the Supreme Court” and read the Snyder v. Phelps decision in Module 1 and 2 and read/listen/review material related to chapters 1 and 4 (Assigned Material). This is a full class Group Discussion. After watching/reading the Assigned Material prepare your writing assignment (post) in a Word document. You may use the spell-check and grammar check features. Access your discussion board by clicking on the link above and create a new thread. Click above “Writing Assignment/Group Discussion #1” to access the discussion board. Your initial post is worth 70 points and your replies (two are required) are worth 30 points, 100 points total for the writing assignment. Please read the additional instructions in the syllabus. You will not be able to see other posts until you post. Please treat this assignment as a serious writing assignment. The rubric is strictly followed and no one gets credit just for posting, therefore prepare your post ahead of time and copy into your thread. Once you post, you will be able to see other posts and you can then reply. However, if you post in error before your post is complete or your post is blank, the first post will be graded even if blank. The lowest Group Discussion/Writing Assignment score of two is dropped for this reason.
You are required to reply to at least two of your classmates by 11:59 PM on Sunday. Your replies must be substantive and MUST include citations in parenthesis according to the instructions above. For example, your replies should extend the discussion or provide another legal perspective, but your replies should not be critical of your classmate’s work. Your replies are worth 30 points and you must provide more than one substantive reply to be eligible for 30 points.
- Your Post/Replies can only be based on the Assigned Material (ABC video, Snyder v. Phelps decision, and chapter 1 and 4 of textbook), and other responses (for your Replies). Internet resources and other resources outside the course material are prohibited, as is collaboration.
- Your Post should be approximately 300 words and each Reply should be approximately 150-200 words.
- Showing substantive knowledge of the Assigned Material requires addressing the prompt and providing at least FIVE accurate examples or support from the Assigned Material (with citations), supporting your analysis and in your own words (DO NOT QUOTE, OR CUT/PASTE, show your own understanding in your own words in your Post and Replies).
- You must cite to ALL Assigned Material in your Post: which must include: at least one citation to the textbook and at least four other citations to the to the video and court case from the Assigned Material (five citations total), which support your analysis. In other words, you should have at least one citation to each of the items listed in the Assigned Material section on Blackboard and no less than five citations total.
- Each Reply must have at least one citation to the Assigned Material.
- Cite to the Assigned Material in parenthesis in the following way: provide the minute from the video (i.e., ABC 5:10), provide the section/page of the textbook/e-book (i.e., Chapter 4, page 95 or Chapter 4-2b), and provide the page from the court case (i.e., Snyder p. 14).
- Also, remember you are not being asked for your opinion, you are being asked to apply/analyze the law. A citation list is not required because everyone has access to and is using the same required resources in the Assigned Material list.