7: The Courts- Guardians of the Constitution
- Page ID
- 23443
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 7.1: Module Introduction
- This page examines the Supreme Court's evolution and growing power, contrasting it with the framers' intention of it being the "least dangerous" branch. It explores judicial activism versus restraint and the ongoing debates surrounding judicial review. Despite concerns about potential undemocratic practices, the Court's role in advancing individual rights in American democracy is emphasized. The page also includes learning outcomes, objectives, and additional study resources.
- 7.2: Lecture Content
- This page discusses the misconception that Supreme Court decisions are final, emphasizing the need for collaboration from other branches of government for enforcement. It highlights the Court's lack of enforcement power with examples like District of Columbia v. Heller and McDonald v. Chicago, and examines Congress and the President's roles in supporting or obstructing court decisions, particularly in desegregation efforts following Brown v. Board of Education.
- 7.3: Reading- The U.S. Legal System
- This page discusses the American legal system's structure, emphasizing civil and criminal cases predominantly handled in state courts, often resolved through settlements or plea bargains. It describes the Supreme Court's role as the highest appellate court, examining cases from lower courts and shaping legal precedents through its deliberations. Further, it lists scholarly works on the Court's decision-making processes, covering aspects like judicial strategy and the influence of oral arguments.
- 7.4: Reading- Power of the U.S. Supreme Court
- This page discusses judicial review, its origins in Marbury v. Madison, and its evolution, highlighting constraints and the impact of Congress in shaping laws through new legislation. It differentiates between judicial review and judicial supremacy, referencing significant Supreme Court cases and examining how personal preferences of justices and political affiliations affect rulings.
- 7.5: Reading- Selecting Federal Judges
- This page details the federal judicial nomination and confirmation process, focusing on Supreme Court justices. It outlines the president's role in nominations, influenced by the Senate, public opinion, and interest groups. Key events include Robert Bork's failed nomination and Clarence Thomas's controversial confirmation. The text also covers the confirmations of John G.
- 7.6: Reading- The Courts in the Information Age
- This page examines the relationship between Supreme Court justices and the media, noting that while justices communicate occasionally, they largely remain distanced from scrutiny. Media coverage tends to oversimplify legal complexities and focuses on high-profile cases, reinforcing an apolitical image of the Court, despite ideological divides.
- 7.7: Putting It Together
- This page outlines the structure of the federal court system, comprising 94 district courts and 13 appeals courts, with the Supreme Court at the pinnacle. Key themes include judicial review, the influence of court decisions, and the ideological considerations behind presidential nominations of judges.
- 7.8: Module 7 Assessments
- This page outlines an assignment where students must write a reflection paper after their final project, discussing the topic's relevance and insights about the federal government, along with concluding remarks on its effectiveness. Additionally, students must complete a quiz with 10 questions worth 20 points in a 30-minute time limit, allowing two attempts. The reflection paper carries a weight of 70 points.