Purposes and Responsibilities


FACULTY LISTING

This course is intended to provide a historical and societal context for the development of our court system as we know it today and to help you understand the tensions inherent in the courts’ ability to fulfill its purposes and responsibilities. The course provides opportunities for you to explore the foundations of the 3rd branch of government and assess whether your courts are living up to the intent and spirit of our Founding Fathers’ vision.

Goals

  • To convey the role of the 3rd branch of government
  • To provide a foundation for the Founders’ Theory and its application and relevance in the courts today
  • To align court performance, court structure, court operations & court processes with court purposes

After completing this course, you should be able to:
  • Explain the purposes of courts
  • Understand the historical & societal role of the courts
  • Understand the broad legal concepts, including due process of law
  • Understand the courts as a 3rd branch of government, an institution and an organization
  • Connect the Founders’ Theory with how the courts function today
  • Understand alternative structures of organizing courts, cases and calendars
  • Devise strategies to align court performance, court structure, court operations, and court processes with court purposes