Tenth through twelfth grade students study the changing role of the Supreme Court from John Jay to the present in this elective political and economic studies course. Included is an historical analysis of rulings, and the impact of the Supreme Court on American life today. Course goals are for the student to: 1) locate the constitutional authority of the Supreme Court; 2) interpret the significant contribution of "Judicial Review" to our check and balance system; 3) examine the court's decisions on federal-state issues and determine their effect on federalism; 4) evaluate the role of the court in resolving the conflict between government regulation of business vs. laissez-faire; 5) critically examine the fourteenth amendment and note how it has been used as a legal vehicle to transfer federal judicial standards upon state courts; and, 6) examine the effect of "decisional law" upon individual rights and liberties. Each goal is also broken down into a focus, objective, and learning activity section. (Author/OPH)