Amherst College Main Navigation Gateways Tools &amp; Resources Search MENU Legal Institutions Section Menu Fall 2021 Legal Institutions and Democratic Practice Listed in: Law, Jurisprudence, and Social Thought, as LJST-103 Formerly listed as: LJST-03 | LJST-23 Moodle site: Course (Login required) Faculty Lawrence R. Douglas (Section 01) Description This course will examine the relationship between legal institutions and democratic practice. How do judicial decisions balance the preferences of the majority and the rights of minorities? Is it possible to reconcile the role that partisan dialogue and commitment play in a democracy with an interest in the neutral administration of law? How does the provisional nature of legislative choice square with the finality of judicial mandate? By focusing on the United States Supreme Court, we will consider various attempts to justify that institution’s power to offer final decisions and binding interpretations of the Constitution that upset majoritarian preferences. We will examine the origins and historical development of the practice of judicial review and consider judicial responses to such critical issues as slavery, the New Deal, and abortion. The evolving contours of Supreme Court doctrine will be analyzed in the light of a continuing effort to articulate a compelling justification for the practice of judicial intervention in the normal operation of a constitutional democracy. Limited to 40 students. Fall semester. Professor Douglas. Show Expectations If Overenrolled: Priority to LJST majors, and then by seniority. Show Course times and locations Show If Overenrolled Offerings 2021-22: Offered in Fall 2021 Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2010, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Fall 2021 Amherst College 220 South Pleasant Street Amherst, MA 01002 Contact Us (413) 542-2000 Contact Us Map & Directions Social Links More Navigation CALENDARS DIVERSITY EMPLOYMENT MAJORS TITLE IX TUITION & FEES APPLY GIVE Emergency A-Z Index Accessibility Copyright Terms & Conditions Jump to top of page PERMALINK https://www.amherst.edu/mm/641744