This seminar is an introduction to the empirically-oriented study of the relationships between law and politics, and between politics and the design, behavior, and impact of legal institutions. Readings, which will draw on comparative as well as American studies, include such topics as (a) the political sources of the rule of law, judicial independence and constitutional courts; (b) typologies of legal systems and legal institutions; (c) the role of courts in politics and policymaking; (d) decisionmaking by judges and officials in other legal institutions, such as regulatory and administrative agencies; (e) the capacity of law and courts to affect policy and social change. In the course of addressing these topics, the seminar will familiarize students with prominent approaches to research and explanation in the “public law†subfield of political science.
This course is cross listed with Law 225.1 Instruction begins January 9 2013