Political Science 161

Study Questions for Bardes, et al, Chapter 13

(Dye and Zeigler, Epilogue, Below)

1. What would be the effects of electing the Supreme Court Justices?

2. What is common law? What is code (civil) law? What is precedent? What is stare decisis? What are various sources of American law?

3. Briefly describe the United States’ dual court system. What is meant by diversity of citizenship? What is a federal question? What is an Appellate Court? What is a grand jury?

4. Describe the FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act) Court. When was it created? Describe alien removal courts. What was decided in Hamdi v. Rumsfeld?

5. What is an amicus curiae brief? What is a class action suit? What is a writ of certiorari? What is the rule of four?

6. What is a unanimous opinion? a majority opinion? a concurring opinion? a dissenting opinion?

7. Briefly describe the selection of federal judges. What is senatorial courtesy? Describe the role of partisanship in the selection of Supreme Court Justices. What are the typical backgrounds of Supreme Court Justices?

8. What is the importance of Marbury v. Madison? What is judicial review? Briefly discuss the differences between the liberal and conservative justices and how they interpret the law.

9. Who are generally seen as the liberal/moderates on the present Supreme Court? The swing votes? The conservatives? Discuss the Rehnquist court’s decisions in recent federalism cases? Why is its decision in the Florida election case (Bush v. Gore) somewhat confusing in this regard? Discuss the Court’s mixed record in the civil rights area.

10. Discuss the difference between judicial activism and judicial restraint.

11. What are the checks on the power of the courts?

Political Science 161

Question for Dye and Zeigler, Epilogue

1. Briefly discuss the five things that Dye and Zeigler feel students should do to preserve democratic values?