Faculty: Ed Richardson
Description: In this class, students will get the opportunity to step into the shoes of a justice of the United States Supreme Court. The students will be divided into “courts” consisting of five “justices”. Over the course of the term, the courts will receive 9-11 case scenarios (a brief description of a fact scenario and the lower court’s ruling and rationale). They will study these cases and, in some cases, listen to actual arguments before the Supreme Court. They will meet as a court to determine a ruling, with a minimum of three justices being required to form a majority opinion. They will then be required to assign the majority opinion which must be written and circulated to the entire court. Justices may write concurring and dissenting opinions. Each court will build their own “precedent” over the course of the Term. Towards the end of the term, each court will break into two “law firms” and will be assigned a case to brief and argue before one of the other courts using that court’s prior decisions as precedent. The law firms will be required to write an appellate brief and present oral arguments to the reviewing court who will be free to ask questions as you would in a genuine Supreme Court setting. The court will then review the case as they did prior cases, reach a ruling, and draft opinion(s) which will be presented in class.
Meeting Information: 01/04/2021-01/26/2021 On Campus Jan Term Course Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Section Requisites: Course fee: $10