Introduction and Objective

The purpose of this course is to examine relationship between law, lawyers, courts and politics. While we will concentrate on the U.S. Supreme Court, we will examine other aspects of judicial politics and judicial process, and will study how these courts make decisions and the impact these decisions have on society. It is my objective to provide you with a basic understanding of this relationship, as well as an opportunity to improve your critical thinking and writing skills.

Grades

Your final grade will be based on the following formula:

Midterm 30%

Final Exam 35%

Paper 30%

Class Participation 5%

Each student will be required to write a 5 - 8 paper on an issue related to this course. Topics will be announced. Papers are due December 5. Students are required to turn in their briefs via www.turnitin.com.

For class participation, you will be graded on attendance in class and quality of class contribution

Make up examinations will be given only when the student has notified me prior to the scheduled exam, and upon my acceptance of the reason for the absence. A student who misses an examination without prior notification and without a satisfactory reason will receive a grade of zero for that examination.

If a student deviates from UMBC’s policies on academic honesty, he or she may receive a failing grade for the assignment, or for the course.

Please see: http://www.umbc.edu/integrity/students.html

Check the university website AND my website for adjustments in the class plan in the event of unexpected cancellations.

It is very important that you have a working knowledge of the American Political system. Therefore I strongly recommend that you have taken the undergraduate introductory course in American Government (POLI 100).

Text

The primary text is: Murphy, Pritchett, and Epstein. 2002. Courts, Judges, and Politics 5th Edition. Additional readings as required will be available via the internet through the syllabus on my web site.

This syllabus represents a plan for the class and is subject to reasonable changes by the professor.

Class Schedule

1. Introduction

2. Courts in Constitutional Democracies 36 – 58, 64-76

3. Judicial Organization 79 - 100, 108-112, 114 – 116,

129 - 136

4. Judicial Selection 137 – 154, 164 - 189

5. The Bar 196 – 236

6. Access 239 - 258, 269 – 279.

7. Instruments of Power 280 – 309

8. Limitations 310 – 338, 340 – 345, 351 - 359

9. Decision Making 363 - 377, 404 - 418

10. Precedent and Reasoning 419 – 473

11. Statutory Interpretation 477 - 487, 493 – 509, 516 – 517.

12. Constitutional Interpretation 526 – 544, 553 – 587.

13. Decision Making Process 603 – 628, 647 – 651, 655 – 656,

671 – 677.

14. Impact 678 – 701, 714 - 738