Home > The Executive Branch > Supreme Court Nominations

Learning Objectives

  • Identify ways in which the nomination of Supreme Court justices is and is not political
  • Compare judicial philosophies
  • Evaluate the effect of politics on the nomination process
  • Research and analyze the nominations and confirmation processes of Robert Bork, Harriet Miers, Clarence Thomas, and Merrick Garland

Overview

This lesson plan teaches the fundamentals of Supreme Court Justice nominations and helps students understand the politics behind the nominations. It challenges students to cut through the politics and compare nominees’ judicial philosophies and includes an optional extension for students to research and analyze the controversial nominations and confirmation processes of Robert Bork, Harriet Miers, and Merrick Garland.

iCivics en español! Student and class materials for this lesson are available in Spanish.

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