National Government: The Judicial Branch
Session 2: Duties and Jurisdictions of Federal Courts

Materials

• Overhead projector or board
• Handout, Duties of the Federal Court System (Attachment A)
• Internet access (optional)

Instructional Activities

1. Provide students the handout, Duties of the Federal Court System (Attachment A).
   
   
2. Ask students to analyze the handout as a means to develop a definition of the word jurisdiction. Student responses may vary; however, responses should center on words synonymous with control.
   
   
3. Allow students to work in groups to determine the differences between original, appellate, and concurrent jurisdiction. Have groups create a scenario that correctly corresponds to each type of jurisdiction.
   
   
4. Have groups read their scenarios, and allow the other groups to try to figure out the type of jurisdiction being presented.
   
   
5. Have students individually conduct a search (textbook or Internet) to determine the type of jurisdiction assigned to the Supreme Court (appellate and limited original), U.S. Court of Appeals (appellate), and U.S. District Courts (original). The following Web sites may be helpful in this activity:
   •    “United States District Courts.” U.S. Courts.
   <http://www.uscourts.gov/districtcourts.html>.
   This site provides information on jurisdiction of District Courts.
   •    “Supreme Court of the United States.” MSN Encarta. <http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761574302/Supreme_Court_of_the_united_States.html>. Section III of this site provides information on the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
   •    “U.S. Judiciary.” Law Library of Congress.
   <http://lcweb.loc.gov/law/guide/usjudic.html>.
   This site provides information on the United States court system.
   
   
6. Discuss and review this information.
   
   
7. Homework: Have students explain their views on whether it is a positive practice to have different types of jurisdictions in the U.S. federal court system.