SPRING  2008

The materials required for this course are: (1) Martin H. Redish & Suzanna Sherry, Federal Courts (6^th ed, 2006) (hereinafter "Text"), and (2) a packet of xeroxed materials (hereinafter "Xerox").  These required reading materials are available for purchase at the bookstore.  Additional required cases and law review articles available on the Internet are hyperlinked in the Syllabus.   

You will be held responsible for the information assigned, whether or not specifically discussed in class.
 

In accord with ABA standards, class attendance is mandatory. Although attendance will not be recorded, continued absence will be noted and will result in automatic withdrawal from the course.
 

Participation in discussion is a critical component of this class. Class participation will constitute one-half (50%) of the final semester grade.  As I do not call upon students involuntarily in an advanced course such as this one, class participation must be (1) voluntary, (2) frequent; and (3) noteworthy (i.e., comments that contribute substantially to the understanding of the class or that materially advance the course of analysis).
 

Two typed papers of eight to ten pages in length will be assigned during the semester, and critiques of both papers will be returned to you.  Before the end of classes, a comprehensive case problem will be assigned, and oral presentation and discussion of your analysis of the problem will be conducted in my office.
 

Given the lengthy nature of important scholarly articles assigned for discussion, the reading burden in this course will be rather uneven. It is advisable, therefore, to track the readings assigned for the immediate future should you need to prepare in advance. You will be held responsible for all materials assigned, including textbook notes, whether or not specifically discussed in class.