Paul Jones Mrs. Quinn G.A.L.R.E. December 8, 2010 Unit 4 Lesson 25 Reviewing and Using the Lesson 1. Explain the difference between original and appellate jurisdiction. What is the role of Congress in determining Supreme Court appellate jurisdiction? The original jurisdiction of a court is the power to hear a case for the first time as opposed to appellate jurisdiction when a court has the power to review a lower court's decision. Appellate jurisdiction is the power of a court to review decisions and change outcomes of decisions of lower courts. 2. Identify four approaches to interpreting the Constitution. Which approach do you think is best? Why? (1) Textualism, literalism, or strict constructionist, (2) original intent or original history, (3) fundamental principles, and (4) modernism or instrumentalism. I believe that modernism is the best approach, as it allows for a greater amount of social progress. 3. What criteria do you think should be used to determine whether a Supreme Court decision is a landmark decision? Time should be used to determine whether or not a Supreme Court decision is a landmark decision. One cannot judge whether a president is a good one until many years after their presidency, likewise, it takes court hearings the same. 4. Describe checks on the power of the Supreme Court and provide an example of each. Senate approves federal judges, including Supreme Court justices (Advise and Consent Clause) Impeachment power (House) Trial of impeachments (Senate) Power to initiate constitutional amendments (to undo supreme court decisions) Power to set courts inferior to the Supreme Court Power to set jurisdiction of courts (they can tell a court that they can not hear a case on a certain topic, which includes changing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court) Power to alter the size of the Supreme Court (if the size is drastically increased the President may select all the new justices and change the sway of power)