Seth W. Greenfest |
Contact information
Seth W. Greenfest Department of Political Science University of Washington 101 Gowen Hall Box 353530 Seattle, WA 98195-3530 cell: 206-554-1912 office: Gowen 27 |
Introduction to U.S. Constitutional Law This course on constitutional law examines the role of the United States federal courts in the American political system. Focusing primarily on the United States Supreme Court, with additional discussion of the lower federal courts, we will look at the political and legal processes that have shaped constitutional development from the founding to the present. The course focuses on issues related to separation-of-powers and federalism, two important features of the American political system, with the goal of understanding why and how the United States federal courts participate in the political process. With the announced retirement of Associate Justice David Souter, we will spend additional time on the process by which Supreme Court justices are nominated to the Court. Among other activities, we will examine press reports about Justice Souter's retirement, analyze statements of public officials about Justice Souter's time on the Court and their statements regarding potential replacements, and (depending on the Committee's schedule) will view or read, and discuss, the Senate Judiciary Committee's hearings on the nominee. Visit the Con Law page for links to the syllabus, study questions, assignment and supplementary materials, a discussion board, an anonymous email, and important and helpful links.
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Visit the Con Law page for links to the syllabus, study questions, assignment and supplementary materials, a discussion board, an anonymous email, and important and helpful links.
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