Understanding the U. S. Supreme Court

by MCGUIRE KEVIN T.

• ISBN13: 9780072337310
• ISBN10: 0072337311
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-07-16
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

A new and fresh approach to the study of the U.S. Supreme Court, this text breaks the mold by moving away from the standard overview approach that focuses on illustrations of institutions, policies, and individuals. Instead, Understanding the U.S. Supreme Court examines what often most captivates students--the actual cases, issues, and personalities of the Court. Not meant to be a history or a legal analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court, but a political science text focused on the contemporary Court, the book piques students' interest by guiding them through a series of case studies that illustrate many of the most important research findings in the field of judicial politics. With detailed and lively narratives, the book shows students how the systematic research of political science sheds light on the practical politics of the Supreme Court.

Table of Contents

 

Preface

Chapter 1 ~ An Overview of the Supreme Court

Historical Change on the Supreme Court
Decision Making in Brief
Plan of the Book

Suggested Readings

Chapter 2 ~ A Tale of Two Nominees: Robert Bork and Clarence Thomas

The Case of Robert Bork
The Case of Clarence Thomas
Who is Chosen?
Who is Confirmed?
Conclusion

Questions for Discussion
Suggested Reading

Chapter 3 ~ Setting the Court's Agenda: South Dakota v. Dole

The Road to the Supreme Court
The Process of Selecting Cases
Explaining Case Selection
Conclusion

Questions for Discussion
Suggested Reading

Chapter 4 ~ Making Decisions: McCleskey v. Kemp

An Overview of the Process
What Shapes Judicial Decision Making?
Conclusion

Questions for Discussion
Suggested Reading

Chapter 5 ~ Interest Groups in Litigation: Simon & Schuster, Inc. vNew York State Crime Victims Board

Explaining Interest Group Activity
Methods of Influence
Who Lobbies the Court?
Influence on the Supreme Court
Conclusion

Questions for Discussion
Suggested Reading

Chapter 6 ~ The Supreme Court's Policies and Their Impact: Buckley v.Valeo

The Court's Policy Agenda
Implementing Judicial Policy
Impact of the Court
Conclusion

Questions for Discussion
Suggested Reading

Index