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Soundbites with Dr. Stan Deaton: “A Nation of Laws”

January 23, 2026 by

Soundbites with Dr. Stan Deaton

"A Nation of Laws"

A resource for the 2025-2026 Georgia History Festival, A Nation of Laws: Courts and the Foundation of Freedom.

Read the questions below and click the sound files to hear the responses.

Teachers:
View the Soundbites with Dr. Stan Deaton Discussion Guide.

Soundbite 1 –

What does "A Nation of Laws" mean?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • In what ways did the colonists react against the King or Parliament during this time of revolutionary upheaval?
  • What is a monopoly?

Soundbite 2 –

What is an Independent Judiciary?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • What does the term partisan mean? Understanding this new term, what does it mean to be bi-partisan?

Soundbite 3 –

Where did the idea for the Supreme Court come from?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • In what ways is the U.S. Supreme Court an independent judiciary?
  • What were the pros and cons to each individual colony having their own set of courts?

Soundbite 4 –

How was the Constitution written to change and reflect the people of America?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • Why are changes and amendments to the Constitution important for the United States?
  • If you were a politician, what changes and amendments would you like to see brought to the Constitution?
  • What are some current technologies or events you think could impact the Constitution?

Soundbite 5 –

Why do the Supreme Court justices serve life terms?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • What are the pros and cons of having the U.S. Supreme Court justices serve life terms?
  • What is an “independent arbitrator?”

Soundbite 6 –

Why are there nine Supreme Court justices? Were there always nine?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • If you were a part of the founding of the U.S. Supreme Court, how many judges would you have chosen? Would you prefer an even or odd number of justices?
  • What was the minimum and maximum amount of U.S. Supreme Court justices that we’ve had in our Nation’s past and why?

Soundbite 7 –

Why does the Supreme Court reverse decisions? What happens when a decision is reversed?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • Deaton describes the Constitution as a “organic document,” what does he mean by this?
  • Additionally, Dr. Deaton states ”…the political makeup of the court changes over time…” What are the pros and cons of this aspect of the U.S. Supreme Court?

Soundbite 8 –

What are the Landmark Court Cases and how have they remained relevant?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • Which court cases that Dr. Deaton mentioned were you already familiar with and what was the ruling associated with the case(s)?
  • Has there been a time when you overheard someone at home or out in public discussing an ongoing U.S. supreme Court Case? Did they mention how they heard about the case?

Soundbite 9 –

What are some notable Georgia court cases that have reached the US Supreme Court?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • Which court cases, if any, that Dr. Deaton mentioned were you already familiar with and what was the ruling associated with the case?
  • What is the Commerce Clause?

Soundbite 10 –

How does the Supreme Court enforce their decisions?
Questions for Discussion Expand
  • What is the separation of powers and how does it relate to the idea of the independent judiciary?
  • What are the three different branches of the U.S. Government and how do they interact with each other?

Pictured: U.S. Supreme Court Crowds, July 8, 1974. Library of Congress.

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Contact us
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Board of Curators
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Newsletter

Want to keep up with the latest news from The Georgia Historical Society? Sign up to receive our newsletter!

Jepson House Education Center*

104 W. Gaston Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-651-2125

Open: Monday–Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
*BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Research Center

501 Whitaker Street
Savannah, GA 31401
912-651-2128

Open: Wednesday–Friday
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
First and third Saturdays
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Atlanta office*

One Baltimore Place NW, Suite G300
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-382-5410

Open: Monday–Friday
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
*BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

Charity Navigator

The Georgia Historical Society has been awarded its eleventh consecutive 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, the largest charity evaluator in America, for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency, a distinction that places The Society among an elite 1% of non-profit organizations in America.

Privacy Policy
Financial Statements

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      • Back
    • Resources for Students
    • Today in Georgia History
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    • Georgia Historical Society Education Newsletter
    • Back
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      • Back
    • Georgia History Festival
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    • Trustees Gala
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      • Back
    • Recognizing an Imperfect Past
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