Download Week 5 Reading and Vocab Sheet 2nd Semester

A.P. U.S. Government Week 5
Reading/Vocab Guide & Questions
February 1st – February 5th
Monday
Read Text 502-511
Tuesday
Read Text p. 511519
Wednesday
Read 520-526
Thursday
Read Text 527-538
Reading Quiz Wed
Take-Home FRQ
(due Friday)
In-Class FRQ
Grading
Week 8 Vocabulary Terms
Standing to Sue
Class-Action Suit
Justiciable Disputes
Amicus Curiae Briefs
Original Jurisdiction
Appellate Jurisdiction
District Courts
Court of Appeal
Supreme Court
Senatorial Courtesy
Solicitor General
Opinion
Stare Decisis
Precedent
Original intent
Judicial Implementation
Marbury v. Madison
Judicial Review
United States v. Nixon
Judicial Restraint
Judicial activists
Political Question
Statutory construction
Friday
Reading/vocab
Quiz
1. Describe the typical participants and types of cases involved in the judicial system.
2. Over what kinds of cases do federal district courts have jurisdiction? Over what kinds of cases
do federal district courts not have jurisdiction? Who are the major players in a district court?
3. Compare and contrast the Supreme Court with lower federal courts in terms of how judges are
chosen, how cases are chosen, and who hears cases before the court.
4. How are nominees to the federal district courts selected? Who has veto power over the
selections, and what is this called? Who checks the background of nominees to these courts? Is
the entire selection process sensible? Explain.
5. Explain the relationship between the courts and Congress and the courts and the presidency.
What is the relationship between these institutions in terms of judicial selection and
policymaking?
6. What do presidents look for in selecting a Supreme Court justice? How often are they
successful in appointing judges who reflect their judicial philosophy? Provide a few examples
from the twentieth century of presidents succeeding and failing to have a direct influence on
the Court.
1. The great majority of Americaʹs judicial business is transacted in
A) state courts of original jurisdiction.
B) Tax Court.
C) Supreme Courts.
D) the United States courts of appeal.
E) federal courts of original jurisdiction.
2. Class action suits
A) are those which have to do with constitutional issues, thus broadening the standing to sue.
B) are filed by students seeking to force a school district to offer additional sections of
perpetually over-enrolled courses.
C) permit a small number of people to sue on behalf of all other people similarly situated.
D) may only be filed if all of those with a standing to sue agree to participate.
E) are routinely filed by teachersʹ groups to prepare the way for legal strikes.
3. There are ________ federal district courts.
A) 53
B) 12
C) 9
D) 91
E) 50
4. Which of the following is NOT under the jurisdiction of the district courts?
A) supervision of bankruptcy proceedings
B) supervision of the naturalization of aliens
C) admiralty and maritime law cases
D) the majority of all criminal cases in the United States
E) civil suits under federal law
5. Which of the following is NOT true about the United States courts of appeal?
A) They hold no actual trials, hear no testimony, and do not impanel juries.
B) Their focus is on correcting errors of procedure and law that occurred in the original proceedings of the case.
C) Their decisions are final and cannot be appealed to the Supreme Court.
D) Their decisions set precedent for all the courts and agencies within their jurisdiction.
E) none of the above
6. For handling cases at the courts of appeal level, the United States is divided into ________
judicial circuits, including one for the District of Columbia.
A) 55
B) 26
C) 12
D) 51
E) 91
7. Each court of appeals normally hears cases in panels consisting of ________ judges.
A) 9
B) 6
C) 12
D) 7
E) 3