| Time | Days | Location | Instructor | GER | Credit | OPUS Class Number | Syllabus (Tentative) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2:30pm-3:45pm | TuTh | Tarbutton Hall 321 | Clark, Thomas. | HSC. | 4 | 13122 | TBA. |
This course provides an introduction to the American legal system and the political science of law and courts. Topics covered include, but are not limited to, the theory of courts and the design of the federal and state judicial systems, the legal profession, plea-bargaining and settlement, how trials and juries work, how the U.S. Supreme Court operates, why it works that way, and with what consequences; judicial independence from the elected branches of government, the relationship between courts and administrative agencies, the creation and enforcement of rights by courts, and the selection of state and federal judges. Readings will include both overviews of the topics and illustrative case studies.
Required Textbooks, Articles, and Resources
- 2005. Courts, Judges, and Politics. ISBN: 9780072977059.McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 6th Edition
- 2008. The Buffalo Creek Disaster: How the Survivors of One of the Worst Disasters in Coal-Mining History Brought Suit Against the Coal Company -- and Won. ISBN: 9780307388490.Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group
- 1998. The Choices Justices Make. ISBN: 9781568022260.CQ Press
Grading
| Assignment/Exam | Details | % of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| One Supreme Court Case Study | NA | 30% |
| Two Short Papers | NA | 20% |
| Active Class Participation | NA | 10% |
| Final Examination | NA | 40% |
The schedule of courses on O.P.U.S. is the official listing of courses, including days and times they meet and the General Education Requirements they satisfy. Students should use course descriptions as general guidelines. Course requirements, grading details, book lists, and syllabi are subject to change.