Federal Courts
- Semester: Spring 2025
- Course ID: 486
- Credit Hours: 4
-
Unique: 29080
Course Information
- Grading Method: Pass/Fail Allowed (JD only)
- Will use floating mean GPA if applicable
Registration Information
- Upperclass-only elective
Meeting Times
Day | Time |
---|---|
MON, WED, THU | 9:05 - 10:12 am |
Evaluation Method
Type | Date | Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Final exam | April 30, 2025 |
Description
This is the classic law school course exploring the powers of and limitations on the federal courts, including (1) how federal powers are shared with the political (nonjudicial) branches and (2) how federal judicial power is limited by laws and norms about federalism. That generalized subject matter necessraily covers questions about litigant standing, the original and appellate jurisdictions of various federal tribunals, Congressional control over that jurisdiction, the content of law that federal courts can and must apply in various cases, federal tribunals other than Article III courts, federal common law, sovereign immunity, "implied" causes of action and remedies, and habeas corpus.
Federal courts is a complex and challenging course that I teach as a blend of upper level civil procedure and civil rights litigation.