This class is designed as an introductory course to the study of judicial politics. We will analyze the people, procedures, and methods of analysis associated with using the courts to resolve disputes. "People" refers mainly to lawyers, litigants, judges, and jurors. "Procedures" refers mainly to pretrial proceedings to determine issues, trials to determine facts, and post-trial proceedings to determine sentences, damage awards, and compliance. "Methods of analysis" refers mainly to methods 1) for determining what causes variations in results within the procedural stages; 2) for determining the effects of differences among the people, procedures, and methods; and 3) for determining what procedures or people are best for achieving desired results. >>