Course Description

The relationship between law and society, types of law, and the operation of the judicial branch of government, particularly in the United States.

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Athena Title

Judicial Process and Behavior

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Equivalent Courses

Not open to students with credit in POLS 4740, POLS 4740H

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Non-Traditional Format

This course will be taught 95% or more online.

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Prerequisite

POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S

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Semester Course Offered

Offered every year.

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Grading System

A - F (Traditional)

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Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students should have learned: (1) theories that examine the nature of judging; (2) 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; (3) the development and activities of the legal profession; (4) how to analyze judicial opinions; and (5) public policy issues that arise in the study of courts and judges.

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Topical Outline

1. Course introduction 2. Court organization 3. The legal profession 4. Interest group litigation 5. Judicial selection 6. Judicial behavior and legal reasoning 7. Criminal litigation 8. Civil litigation 9. Trial court procedures 10. Appellate court procedures 11. Judicial policy implementation and impact

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