POL335: The Supreme Court, Spring 2004 Brett E. Marston MW 3:00 - 4:20, Mahar 118 Office Hours: TBA

This course will provide an introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court. We will (1) get an overview of the Court as an institution, (2) explore the reasoning and strategy employed by Supreme Court justices, and (3) discuss the relationship between the Court, other institutions of government, and the public. By the end of the semester you should have a basic understanding of how the Court operates as well as some analytical tools for critical analysis of the Court and the controversies that surround it. Throughout the course we will be concerned with how both political scientists study the Court and how interested citizens can and should evaluate its activities.

Assignments and Grade Distribution

Short paper #1 (10%), Midterm exam (take home) (30%), Short paper #2 (15%), Final exam or final paper (35%)  Class participation (10%)

You may write a final paper instead of the final exam if you give me seven (7) short reaction papers to the readings in the second half of the course. A reaction paper will be graded as "approved" if you write at least two paragraphs and explore some aspect of the reading that you find particularly interesting, troubling, enraging, perceptive, etc. If you choose to write a final paper, I will give you topics to write on; you may modify my suggested topic after consulting with me.

Expectations

This course is not a lecture course; extensive student participation is required. Participation constitutes 10% of your grade, so it is in your interest (as a grade-seeker and as a learner) to participate, but I also hope that you will be both excited about the material and willing to ask questions when you do not understand something. Attendance will be taken; both absences and tardiness will count against your final grade.

Plagiarism will be dealt with according to university policies. Do not plagiarize. I will use plagiarism detection software in cases of uncertainty. In order to facilitate the use of this software, I require electronic versions of all written work (preferably by e-mail, but a floppy disk will do). You should review Oswego's plagiarism policies and ask me for help if needed.

Students who have a disabling condition that might interfere with their ability to complete this course successfully are encouraged to speak with me, confidentially, or to contact the Office of Disability Services (x3558, 210 Swetman).

Class Schedule (subject to adjustment and change as the course progresses)