Supreme Court – 6839

In this course, we will explore the role and function of the Supreme Court in our governmental system. Although you have been exposed to Supreme Court decisions in your other law-school classes, this class will concentrate on how the Court makes those decisions, as well as the Court’s relationship to the other branches of government. We will begin the course by examining the nomination and confirmation process. Then we will proceed to consider cases currently pending before the Court, first discussing current petitions for certiorari and then deciding several pending merits cases. Your final task will be to write a research paper on a topic related to the Supreme Court or an opinion in one of the merits cases we discuss in class.