A study of the federal courts from their inception to the twenty-first century, focusing on the character and roles of federal judges, the relationship between the courts and Congress, and the rivalry between the federal courts and the state courts. As well, we will cover changes over time in jurisdiction and procedure, especially changes in the rules for equity, habeas corpus, diversity suits, and appeals. There is no exam. Students will work on an original research paper. Grades will be based on the paper, a class presentation about the paper topic and participation in the seminar discussions.

Readings will include selections from the books including Business of the Federal Courts by Frankfurter and Landis; Henry J. Friendly's Federal Jurisdiction, Richard Posner, The Federal Courts, Edward Purcell, Litigation and Inequality, and Hoffer, Hoffer, and Hull, The Supreme Court: An Essential History, as well as several journal articles.