PBPL830

Over the past 30 years, the Supreme Court has been called upon to resolve many important and often controversial public policy questions. The purpose of this course is two-fold: (1) to familiarize students with the role of the federal courts as a policy making institutions; and (2) to carefully analyze actual cases as a means of assessing the scope of the Court's power to shape public policy, especially in areas where there is little political consensus. Readings will include texts and articles on the role of the federal courts and several of the recent court cases.