POL 3702 - Law and Society
Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 43175,
Credit hours: 3
Course Meeting Times
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Instructor
Matthew Ritzman
Email: mritzman@ysu.edu
Course Description
3702. Law and Society. The American judicial system, its institutional development and its role in policy determination, as evidenced in leading Supreme Court decisions. Limited coverage of state judicial systems. Prereq.: POL 1560. 3 s.h.
Course Readings
| Group | Title | Author | ISBN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Required | The Supreme Court, 15th ed., (Thousand Oaks, CA: CQ Press, 2024) | Lawrence Baum | 1071901710 |
| Required | United States Supreme Court Decisions and Documents |
The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.
Assignments/Assessments
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Schedule of Topics and Assignments
| Week of | Reading(s) | Proposed Topic | Due/To Prepare for Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8/24 | Syllabus Read "An Introduction to the United States Constitution" |
Course Introduction - Structure of Government | Read syllabus and complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 8/31 | The Bill of Rights *Get and Review Baum Textbook |
An Introduction to the Supreme Court and Constitutional Law | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 9/7 | 1. Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 1 pages 1-13 2. Supreme Court Justice Public Biographies |
The Supreme Court’s Jurisdiction and the Justices | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 9/14 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 1 pages 13-26 | What do Supreme Court Justices do? | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 9/21 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 2 pages 27 - 48 | The Selection of Supreme Court Justices | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 9/28 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 2 pages 49-66 2. Supreme Court Case Decision Readings |
The Supreme Court Justices | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 10/5 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 3 pages 73-93 2. Supreme Court Case Decision Readings |
Supreme Court Cases | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 10/12 | 1. Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 3 pages 73- 109 2. Supreme Court Case Decision Readings |
Supreme Court Cases | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 10/19 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 4 pages 117-138 | Supreme Court Decisions | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 10/26 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 4 pages 139-161 | Supreme Court Decisions | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 11/2 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 5 page 171 - 184 | Public Policy and Statutory Interpretation | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 11/9 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 5 page 185 - 198 | Public Policy and Civil Liberties | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 11/16 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 6 page 203-210 | The Supreme Court’s Impact | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 11/23 | 1. Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 6 page 211-219 2. Supreme Court Writ of Certiorari |
Important Issues Before the Supreme Court | Complete posted Blackboard Activities and Assignments by Sunday at 11:59pm |
| 11/30 | 1. Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 6 page 220-229 2. Supreme Court Writ of Certiorari |
Important Issues Before the Supreme Court | Final Assignment – posted on Blackboard - due on 12/13 at 11:59pm |
| 12/7 | Read Baum Textbook – Chapter 6 page 229-239 | Important Issues Before the Supreme Court | Final Assignment – posted on Blackboard - due on 12/13 at 11:59pm |
The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.