Seminar in the Supreme Court as an Institution

The purpose of this seminar is to help students gain a better understanding of the Supreme Court as a political institution. More specifically, the seminar will introduce students to studies in law and social science about the Supreme Court and its role in American politics. Topics will include: appointments to the Court; the internal deliberative processes of the justices in accepting cases, reaching their decisions, and writing opinions; the role of law clerks; the role of advocacy on the justices; external pressures on the Court; and the impact of judicial decisions. Students will complete the course with a better understanding of how the Court works as well as a critical appreciation of other ways in which the Court could work.