Time Schedule:
Christopher Roberts
POL S 462
Seattle Campus
Introductory public law course that examines the interplay of constitutional law and American politics with particular attention to the role of the Supreme Court in the formulation and implementation of public policy in such matters as criminal-law enforcement, civil rights political expression, and economic regulation. Prerequisite: either POL S 360 or POL S 361.
Class description
Description: This course focuses on Supreme Court as a political institution in American government. Students should develop an understanding of the role of the Supreme Court in a democratic government, the composition of the Court, and the nature of decision-making among the justices. Additional questions students should be able to answer are how the Court became the authoritative interpreter of the Constitution for American society and does the Court protect the rights of minorities in the face of majority opposition.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Text: The following texts are available at the Campus bookstore and online. Clayton, Cornell and Howard Gillman. 1999. Supreme Court Decision-Making: New Institutionalist Approaches. University of Chicago Press. McCloskey, Robert G. 2005. The American Supreme Court, Fourth Edition. University of Chicago Press. Rosenberg, Gerald. 2008. The Hollow Hope Can Courts Bring About Social Change? Second Edition. University of Chicago Press. You will also be required to access online material from e-reserves.
Class assignments and grading
Assignments: Grades for this course are on a 4.0 basis. The participation portion of the final course grade will not be based on the number of times you speak, but on the reasoned opinions, arguments, and responses you make during class. Regular attendance, therefore, becomes a necessity to attain a high participation grade.
Grading: Your grade for the course will be computed as follows: Research Paper - 50%; Response Papers – 30%; Class Participation – 20%. My grade scale can be found at http://faculty.washington.edu/scstroup/Gradescale.html .
