In this course, students will serve as the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States during the current Term of the Court. Students will become experts in the professional and personal backgrounds of their Justices, they will vote on four cases on the docket during the current Term, and they will write majority, dissenting, and concurring opinions (25-30 pages) in those cases.The seminar will meet for 2.5 hours a week. Students will be evaluated based on course participation and a judicial opinion they will draft and revise before submitting for a grade.The course will involve both substantial reading (of various academic materials, legal briefs, judicial opinions, and transcripts of oral argument) and substantial writing. Students will also be responsible for compiling reading materials on their Justice, and some preliminary preparation will be required before the spring semester begins. Accordingly, only students who are prepared to make a serious commitment to the success of the seminar should consider enrolling.The class is ideal for students interested in constitutional law, federal courts, appellate litigation, and judicial clerkships.
Spring 2012
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