POLITICS OF LAW AND COURTS

PS 360 – SECTION 2

INSTRUCTOR: PHILLIP J. WININGER Introduction

CLASS SCHEDULE: TUES/THURS 12:30 – 1:45
LOCATION: SLONE RESEARCH BUILDING, 303
Why take PS360?
 Courts are important to the
political system.
 Most political science majors
don’t have an in-depth
understanding of how courts
work.
 Good preparation for
subsequent constitutional law,
civil liberties and judicial
politics classes.
 Good insight on law school.
 COURSE WEBSITE

Content
 Announcements
 Class Materials
 Readings
 Powerpoints

http://kentuckylawandcourts.
blogspot.com
 REQUIRED TEXT

Judicial Process: Law, Courts, and Politics in

the United States, Sixth Edition.
 Authors: David W. Neubauer and Stephen S. Meingold
 Publisher: Wadsworth Cengage Learning
 GRADED COMPONENTS

Exams (65%)
 Exam 1 (15%)
 Exam 2 (25%)
 Final Exam (25%)
Class Participation and Attendance (20%)
 Pop Quizzes
 Participation
Out-of-Class Assignments (15%)
 Court Observations Analysis (10%)
 Legal Brief (5%)
 CLASS RULES

Excused v. Unexcused Absences.

Class Attendance and Participation.
 Be on time
 Be prepared – read before class
 Participate
Computer Policy: allowed only for taking class notes.
Use of other electronic devices disallowed.
No discussion of grades via email or phone.
 24 hour wait period
No plagiarism or cheating.
Read your syllabus.
 QUESTIONS TO PONDER

What role does the legal system play in

society?
How do judges decide cases?
 “Fidelity to the Law” – Sonia Sotomayor
 “Judges and justices are servants of the law, not the
other way around. Judges are like umpires. Umpires
don't make the rules; they apply them.” – John
Roberts
What is “Law”?