In the Supreme Court Justices' Shoes: Critical Thinking Through the Use of Hypothetical Case Law Analyses and Interactive Simulations

Abstract

Judicial decisions are an integral part of American politics and, despite the presence of written and explicated opinions of federal judges, the internal deliberations and decision making processes of judges themselves remains a mystery to many. A burgeoning body of literature focuses on the use of simulations to engage students and bridge theory to practical application. Few simulations target the judicial component of politics, despite its natural disposition for group participation in a simulation project. Richard J. (Rick) Hardy is the director of the Institute for Leadership in Civic Education, director of the National Institute for Advanced Civic Studies (sponsored by the Center for Civic Education), and assistant director of the Honors College at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He regularly teaches courses in American politics, constitutional law, and the Supreme Court. His publications include: Government in America (Houghton Mifflin), Missouri Government and Politics (Missouri Press), Civic Education (Pearson), and Politics: The Art of Drawing Dividing Lines (Thomson). Hardy also serves as a political commentator for numerous national outlets and is a presidential elector in the Electoral College. Chapman Rackaway teaches courses in American government, political campaign management, political parties, and voting behavior at Fort Hays State University. He is the director and advisor for the Political Campaigns and Management tract at FHSU. He has published in the Journal of Politics and has consulted on numerous state and national political races. Laurie E. Sonnier currently teaches social studies courses at St. Martin high school in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. She earned her B.A. in political science at the University of Southern Mississippi and her M.Ed. in Education from Bowie State University. Laurie has won numerous teaching awards and has been actively involved with the National Council for the Social Studies and the Center for Civic Education. She is the co-editor of Voices of Advocacy in American Democracy (Pearson).