B17. Landmark decisions of US Supreme Court

This course will examine a number of landmark decisions of the Supreme Court on a variety of legal issues, including the balance of power of institutions under the Constitution, civil rights, rights of criminal defendants, abortion, affirmative action, financing of elections, gay marriage, and the Affordable Health Care Act.  Consideration will be given to the reasoning of the Court as well as the legal, historical, and social framework of the decisions. Class discussion will be encouraged. 

GROUP LEADER:  John S. Ross III holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law, and practiced law for 20 years in Washington, D.C. He was an Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington & Lee University School of Law and taught a class on separation of church and state in the WISE program. He is a court coordinator with Family Services of Central Massachusetts Mediation.