Jurisprudence Seminar

Jurisprudence: The Roberts Court - Professor John Kroger 

• Course Number: LAW-468
• Course Type: Foundational
• Credits: 2
• Enrollment Limit: 18
• Description: In 2005, President George W. Bush nominated John Roberts to be Chief Justice of the United States. Since that time, Roberts has presided over one of the most significant periods in the Court’s history, deciding major questions on presidential power, democratic governance, civil rights, and the administrative state. In this class, we will read and analyze the most important cases decided by the Roberts court, including Massachusetts v. EPA (regulation of carbon dioxide), Citizens United v. FEC (campaign contributions), Obergefell v. Hodges (same-sex marriage), Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (right to abortion) and Trump v. United States (presidential immunity). Our primary goal will be to understand the different theories of constitutional interpretation used by the Court to explain and justify its results. Throughout, we will ask ourselves: what is the best way to read the Constitution? 
• Prerequisite: Constitutional Law I (LAW 007)
• Evaluation Method: Two 8-10 page papers
• Capstone: no
• WIE: no