Alexander Hamilton once described the Supreme Court as the “least dangerous branch” of the American government. Although this may have been true in 1789, the Court has evolved into a co-equal branch of the federal government. From Obamacare to same-sex marriage to the election of a President, it is the Court that ultimately has the final say on most of the important issues of the day. Despite this, it may be appropriate to call the Supreme Court the “least understood branch” since the Court does much of its work behind closed doors. In fact, very few Americans are aware of the Court’s members, decisions, and day-to-day operations. The first half of this course will shed light on the least understood branch by looking at the history and inner workings of the Court. We will then look specifically at the cases and issues that have defined the Court’s agenda and American politics over the past 60 years. 

Lectures:

1. The Early Court, Marbury v. Madison, Chief Justice John Marshall’s leadership to Chief Justice Taney’s disaster (Dred Scott v. Sanford).

2. The 14th Amendment: The Court fails the Civil Rights test but finds Social Darwinism in the Constitution: Justices Steven Fields, John Harlan, Oliver Wendell Holmes.

3. The Constitutional Revolution of 1937 and The Warren Court

4. The Rehnquist Revolution and the Current  Court Membership

"Each session was very interesting and informative. I thoroughly enjoyed attending and look forward to his next lectures." OLLI Patron

Live In-Person with Video Catch-up. Available 2-3 business days after live lecture. You will have approximately two weeks to view the video.