POL 380: JUDICIAL PROCESS & BEHAVIOR

This course covers the organization of the American court system (both state and federal), the function of courts in our society and democracy, and the role of various players (such as judges, litigants, and lawyers) in the legal process. It also examines theories of judicial decision making, explores the ways judges make public policy, and evaluates the efficacy and/or desirability of judicial policy making. In addition to the overview of the American legal system and judicial policy making, it covers the processes surrounding civil and criminal litigation.