The relationship between law and society, types of law, and the operation of the judicial branch of government, particularly in the United States.
Athena Title
Judicial Process Behavior Hon
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in POLS 4740, POLS 4740E
Prerequisite
(POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S) and permission of Honors
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will learn theories and research that examine the nature of judging.
Students will learn about the organization and functioning of the court system, including judicial selection procedures and the rules and informal norms that structure the adjudication of criminal and civil cases.
Students will learn how to analyze judicial opinions.
Students will learn about public policy issues that arise in the study of courts and judges.
Topical Outline
1. Function of law and legal system
2. Federal court organization
3. Federalism and state court systems
4. Judicial selection: federal and state methods
5. Lawyers and legal education
6. Criminal court process, including plea bargaining and trials
7. Civil litigation
8. Access to the courts and resources
9. Judicial review and other instruments of judicial power
