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Lesson

Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014)

Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Statue of Lady Justice holding scales, with an American flag and a gavel in the background.
What were the arguments made during the Supreme Court Case Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014)? Examine the facts of the case and analyze the arguments made on both sides through primary source documents and preceding cases. Assess the majority and minority decisions for the case.

Founding Principles

Freedom of Religion, Liberty, Limited Government

Learning objectives

  • Read and discuss the founding documents related to free exercise of religion.
  • Examine and analyze primary source documents related to Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014)
  • Evaluate, based on the documents examined, the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014)
  • Write a response paper addressing the central question of the case.

Materials

  • Handout A: Case Background and Central Question
  • Handout B: Document Analysis Continuum
  • Documents for Lesson:
    1. First Amendment
    2. Madison’s On Property
    3. Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993
    4. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2014), Majority Opinion
    5. Other Court decisions referenced in opinion: Sherbert (1963), Yoder (1972)
    6. Burwell v. Hobby Lobby (2013), Dissenting Opinion
    7. Affordable Care Act (ACA) text and HHS Guidelines
    8. Political cartoons

Lesson Components

ActivityHandout A: Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Case Background and Central Question
ActivityHandout B: Document Analysis Continuum
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