This course surveys the politics of the American judiciary, exploring how judges behave, the relationship between the judiciary and the other branches of government, and the linkages between the judiciary and the American public. Throughout the course, we will engage with the following questions: Are judges politicians? What goals do judges have? How do the president, Congress and the American public constrain the judiciary? Can courts shape public opinion? Are judicial elections good or bad for American democracy? In doing so, the course provides a deeper understanding of the factors that shape judicial behavior and the impact of the judiciary on American politics.
Course Attributes: EN S; BU Eth; BU BA; AS SSC
