The Media Library of Genesee Valley BOCES

Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson travel to the 21st century to examine the importance of judicial independence to the American democracy in this live-action program

Introduces students to the role of the judicial branch of the government and illustrates both the federal and state court systems. Shows how a case can travel through this system to the Supreme Court. Looks at key U.S. Supreme Court decisions, including Marbury vs. Madison, which clearly established the role of the judicial branch in the this government's system of checks and balances

Examines the creation of the court and follows it through the brink of the Civil War, paying particular attention to the fourth chief justice of the Supreme Court - John Marshall - and to his successor, Roger Taney. Volume 1

Explores the issues before the court from the aftermath of the Civil War through the 1930s. This was a period of unprecedented economic growth as the nation industrialized, but was also a time of unregulated work conditions - the court found itself squarely in the middle of what was almost class warfare. Volume 2

Details the court from the election of President Richard Nixon - who appointed 4 new justices in less than two years - through to the more recent Court of today. During this period one man put his stamp on the institution and solidified and enhanced the power of the Court in the modern area - William H. Rehnquist. Volume 4

Focuses on the court's reaction to state and federal legislation on Bill of Rights freedoms, with special attention to the explosion of civil rights cases from the early 1940s to the present. Volume 3

This is the 3rd and 4th part of an 8-part series that explores how the U.S. Constitution came to be and why it has protected Americans from the abuse of power and tryranny. Volume 2

This is the 7th and 8th part of an 8-part series that explores how the U.S. Constitution came to be and why it has protected Americans from the abuse of power and tryranny. Volume 4

This is the first 2 of an 8-part series that explores how the U.S. Constitution came to be and why it has protected Americans from the abuse of power and tryranny. Volume 1

This is the 5th and 6th part of an 8-part series that explores how the U.S. Constitution came to be and why it has protected Americans from the abuse of power and tryranny. Volume 3