Politics of the Supreme Court (331-0-1)

Instructors

Matt R Pryor

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 223: Tues, Thurs 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

This course offers a thorough examination of the U.S. Supreme Court in the American political system. We will focus primarily on the Court as an institution—that is, the set of norms, rules, and policymaking processes that lead to the High Court's decisions. Although the study of legal doctrine (e.g., constitutional law) is central to understanding the Supreme Court's role in American government, this course will emphasize the institutional processes by which the justices create substantive policy (and not the content of legal doctrine itself). In doing so, we will investigate how the Court operates as both a legal and political institution, as well as its place in the larger political system. This course will also emphasize the social scientific study of the Supreme Court, involving topics such as judicial selection, the Court's agenda-setting and control of its docket, and decision-making on the merits.

Registration Requirements

Recommended: POLI_SCI 220-0 American Government and Politics

Learning Objectives

- Describe the Supreme Court's role in the larger American political system, its place in the separation of powers, and how the political environment shapes judicial policy.
- Assess the numerous factors that affect the judicial selection process, including the president's primary considerations when making an appointment to the Supreme Court and the major factors influencing Senate confirmation.
- Identify and explain doctrinal approaches and political ideologies in decision-making.
- Identify and explain the Court's institutional policymaking process while emphasizing the important factors that influence the justices' decision-making at each stage.

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Pre-Reg: Reserved for Legal Studies Majors and Minors until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites. Prerequisite: POLI_SCI 220-0 or POLI_SCI 230-0.