Join us for a unique opportunity to explore the evolution of civil rights and liberties through the lens of Robert H. Jackson’s legacy. This seminar is designed for educators to deepen their understanding of the historical foundations of justice, accountability, and human rights, while equipping them with practical tools to teach these critical concepts in their classrooms.

Through interactive lectures, case studies, and dynamic discussions, participants will examine key moments from Jackson’s work as a Supreme Court Justice and as Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials.

By the end of the seminar, you’ll walk away with new insights, teaching strategies, and a deeper understanding of how to foster critical thinking and civil discourse in your classroom. Participants will also receive 10 hours of CTLE credits for participating in the full seminar (while we are pending NYS approval as a CTLE-sponsored site, this program is being sponsored by the Niagara Frontier Council for the Social Studies (NFCSS)). 

You can Register Here.

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand Robert H. Jackson’s Contributions to Civil Liberties and Human Rights
    • Participants will be able to analyze key Supreme Court cases in which Jackson’s opinions significantly impacted the interpretation of rights and liberties as well as how his time as Chief Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials helped to create an international standard for law and human rights.
  • Apply Historical Legal Precedents to Contemporary Issues
    • Participants will develop the ability to draw connections between Jackson’s legal philosophy and modern-day social justice movements, particularly regarding civil rights and individual freedoms.
  • Foster Critical Thinking and Civil Discourse in the Classroom
    • Participants will gain strategies to encourage critical discussions about civil liberties and rights using Jackson’s principles to guide debates.
  • Enhance Pedagogical Tools for Teaching Rights and Liberties
    • Participants will explore case studies and legal principles that they can incorporate into their teaching practice.
  • Examine the Role of the U.S. Supreme Court in Shaping Rights During Wartime and Crisis
    • Participants will gain insight into how U.S. Supreme Court decisions during times of war and national crisis have impacted the balance between national security and civil liberties.
    • Participants will critically analyze the long-term consequences of wartime decisions and apply lessons from Jackson’s dissents and opinions to current legal debates.

Alignment with State Standards:

  • New York State (NYS) Standards:
    • Social Studies Standards:
      • Civics, Citizenship, and Government:
        • The discussion of Jackson’s impact as Supreme Court Justice and Chief Prosecutor at Nuremberg will help educators teach students about the principles of justice, accountability, and civil liberties in relation to historical events and modern-day issues.
      • History of the United States and New York: 
        • The seminar will help draw connections between historical figures and social change, reinforcing students’ understanding of key historical moments.
      • World History:
        • By exploring Jackson’s international role during the Nuremberg Trials, the seminar can also align with NYS standards related to world history and global citizenship. Participants will learn about the development of international law and human rights, fostering a global perspective.
    • Reading and Writing:
      • The seminar’s use of case studies and legal texts aligns with the ELA Literacy Standards for reading informational texts and writing arguments.
      • Teachers will gain strategies for helping students read and analyze complex legal documents, making the connection between historical and contemporary issues clearer.
  • Pennsylvania State Standards:
    • Social Studies:
      • By focusing on Jackson’s work in civil rights and justice, participants will gain tools to help participants understand how legal decisions evolve over time, shaping social change.
    • Government and Civics:
      • Jackson’s role in key Supreme Court cases directly informs participants understanding of constitutional rights and government power.
    • English Language Arts:
      • The seminar will help meet the Reading Informational Texts standards by encouraging analysis of complex legal texts.
  • Ohio State Standards:
    • American History, Civics, Government:
      • By focusing on Jackson’s work in civil rights and justice, participants will gain tools to help participants understand how legal decisions evolve over time, shaping social change.
    • Civics and Government:
      • Jackson’s jurisprudence in key cases offers a rich example of how Supreme Court rulings protect or limit individual freedoms, and the seminar will give educators tools to teach this dynamic to students.
    • English Language Arts:
      • Teachers will gain strategies for helping students read and analyze, interpret, and write about complex legal documents, making the connection between historical and contemporary issues clearer.

Scholars:

  • Shawn J. Donahue, J.D., PhD., Assistant Professor of Political Science, University at Buffalo College of Arts and Science
  • David Jamison, J.D., Distinguished Faculty Fellow, Thomas R. Kline School of Law at Duquesne University

Schedule (Meals are Included):

Day 1: Friday, February 28th, 2025: Arrival, Check-In, and Welcome Reception (Optional for Participants)

3:30pm to 7:00pm Check-in at Robert H Jackson Center

4:30pm to 5:00pm Welcome, Agenda Overview

5:00pm to 6:00pm Reception and Free time to explore the Center

6:00pm to 7:00pm Welcome Dinner

7:00pm to 7:30pm Welcome and Introduction to Jackson’s Legacy

Day 2: Saturday, March 1st, 2025: Bulk of Programming

8:00am to 8:45am Breakfast and Check-In

8:45am to 9:15am Preview Session

9:15am to 12:00pm Jackson’s Rise to the Court and Early Cases

This session will cover the different methods Justices reach the bench, including Jackson’s unique rise. This will also set the stage for the world in which Jackson was entering the Supreme Court. Then the scholars will focus on early cases that shaped Jackson’s legacy. With a rise in persecution towards Jehovah’s Witnesses, one of Jackson’s pivotal cases took place early in his career when he wrote the majority opinion in West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943), reversing the Court’s earlier decision in Minersville School District v. Gobitis (1940). The scholars will also explore the ideas of Incorporation Doctrine, the clear and present danger test, and compelled speech through other cases such as Jones v. Opelika (1942) and Dennis v. United States (1951).

12:00pm to 1:00pm Lunch

1:00pm to 5:00pm Civil Liberties and Rights during Wartime and Nuremberg

This session will look back at the initial Red Scare cases during WWI such as Schenck v. United States (1919) and Abrams v. United States (1919) and use them to look at what national security concerns existed during such a conflict. They will then move into the national security concerns that existed after Pearl Harbor and the issuance of Executive Order 9066 which eventually led to Korematsu v. United States (1944). The scholars will focus on Jackson’s famous dissent from that case and what it means in today’s landscape with recent cases like Trump v. Hawaii (2018). Next, the scholars will focus on Jackson’s role as WWII ended and he was asked to step into a new position as Chief Prosecutor for the United States against Nazi war criminals. Jackson was instrumental in shaping The London Agreement & Charter (August 8, 1945) which, along with Jackson’s powerful opening statement at Nuremberg, introduced new legal concepts and called for the establishment of an international court system that pushed for human rights. Finally, the scholars will wrap this packed session with a discussion of what it meant for Jackson to miss time on the Supreme Court while he was in Nuremberg. They will look at the dynamics of the Court and how it changed after he returned.

5:00pm to 5:30pm End-of-Day Wrap Up

5:30pm to 6:30pm Dinner

Day 3: Sunday, March 2nd, 2025: Finish Program and Departure

8:00am to 8:45am Breakfast

8:45am to 9:15am Review and Preview Session

9:15am to 12:00pm Jackson’s Last Years on the Court

This session will look to Post-War America and examine what restraints the second Red Scare began to have on Civil Liberties and Civil Rights. Scholars will have participants examine cases such as Terminiello v. Chicago (1949) and Beauharnais v. Illinois (1952). They will then move on to Jackson’s famous concurrence in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) to explain Jackson’s influential voice when it comes to the powers of the President. Last, they will move into the final chapter of Jackson’s time on the Court – his role in Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954). They will discuss the push from Chief Justice Earl Warren to make the decision unanimous and the difficult road to accomplish that as well as the impact of the case.

12:00pm to 12:30pm End-of-Day Wrap Up

12:30pm to 1:30pm Farewell Lunch (Optional for participants)

Register:

We have a maximum of 24 slots available for this seminar, after those spaces are full, we will start a waiting list. You can Register Here. If you are interested in attending, please register by Wednesday, February 26 to secure your spot. When we get closer to the Seminar, those registered will receive more information.