Civil Liberties and Landmark Cases

This unit examines Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections and studies landmark Supreme Court decisions that shaped governmental structure and individual rights. Students will analyze precedent, practice case-briefing, and apply constitutional rules to factual scenarios to prepare for advanced study and practicum work in law and public service.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze Fourth Amendment principles and related Texas and U.S. case law to determine when searches and seizures are reasonable, identifying probable cause, warrants, and key exceptions in realistic factual scenarios.
• Apply Fifth Amendment protections against self-incrimination—including Miranda doctrine, compelled testimony, and immunity—to evaluate procedural safeguards and advise on appropriate law-enforcement or client responses.
• Evaluate the holdings and lasting impact of ten landmark cases concerning governmental structure (e.g., judicial review, federalism, separation of powers) and synthesize how those precedents shape modern governance.
• Demonstrate mastery of top individual-rights cases (ten plus three) by preparing written case briefs and delivering an oral analysis that identifies facts, holdings, reasoning, dissents, and subsequent legal or policy implications.