Clapper v. Amnesty International (2013)
Learning Objectives
- Describe the rights protected by the First and Fourth Amendments
- Identify the main arguments put forth in the case
- Analyze the conflict between ensuring national security and protecting individuals' rights
- Describe the rationale behind the Supreme Court's decision
Overview
This mini-lesson covers the basics of the Supreme Court’s decision that determined the government’s ability to conduct electronic surveillance of its citizens. Students learn about the First Amendment right to free speech, the Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable searches, national security, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). Students evaluate different forms of government monitoring, and provide their perspective on whether government surveillance is a necessity for national security, or a violation of people’s privacy and individual rights.