Students must prepare a short essay (four pages, minimum) discussing some aspects of
the readings for the week. Two or more topics will be provided: ONE topic must be
selected. Papers must be delivered via Blackboard to the instructor on or before 11:59
pm, Saturday, February 25, 2023.
1. The assignment should be double-spaced and written in 12-point font
2. The assignment must be a minimum of FOUR pages. Points will be automatically deducted for essays shorter than three pages
3. Your essay must be clear and concise. Your arguments must be fully supported with the Chapters 2 and 3 readings, the lecture presentations and the videos presented in class
4. There are no page limits for the assignment
5. Assignments must be uploaded via Blackboard by 11:59 PM on, Saturday, February 25, 2023
TOPIC #2 – Federalism and the Necessary and Proper Clause
1. Review Chapter 3. Additional outside research will be necessary.
2. Refer the Lecture Presentation and videos for Chapter 3 – Federalism
d) What is Federalism? Discuss McCulloch v. Maryland and Gibbons v. Ogden its
importance to Federalism.
e) On Friday, in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, June 24, 2022, the
United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark piece of
legislation that made access to an abortion a federal right in the United States. The
decision dismantled 50 years of legal protection and paved the way for individual
states to curtail or outright ban abortion rights. Briefly discuss the case: do you feel
it was properly decided by the Court? The Court felt that abortion should be decided
by the states: is this a good example of Federalism: should the states be given the
power to decide this issue or should it have remained a federal issue and a federally
protected right?
f) The Framers realized circumstances would change, so they added the following
“elastic language” to Article I? What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? Discuss
this Clause and what it does and does not allow Congress to do.
