Considers the impact of contemporary issues and public policy of the Courts through the examination of current issues under deliberation. Students will evaluate and opine on the competing legal and policy arguments in class and in papers as if they were the empowered judicial authority. Issues covered include: the growth of opinion-based news reporting versus factual news, "Fake news," and freedom of the press; voter photo ID laws, redistricting and political gerrymandering; continued racial segregation; holding public officials accountable for egregious constitutional violations; regulation of social media; and socioeconomicinequality. The course also provides a broad overview of the ways American courts function as well as interactive speakers and hands on experiences.