The Supreme Court

by Lawrence A. Baum

Overview

In The Supreme Court, Lawrence Baum provides a brief yet comprehensive introduction to the U.S. Supreme Court, one that is balanced and illuminating. In successive chapters, the book examines each major aspect of the Court: the selection, backgrounds, and departures of justices; the creation of the Court's agenda; the decision-making process and the factors that shape the Court's decisions; the substance of the Court's policies; and the Court's impact on government and American society. Describing the Court's personalities and procedures, and delving deeply to explain the actions of the Court and the behavior of justices, Baum shows students the Court's complexity and reach. Tables and figures, plus a lively photo program, make this one of the most engaging books available. It is simply the standard.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781071901717
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	01/16/2023
Edition description:	Fifteenth Edition
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	790,955
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lawrence Baum is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Ohio State University. He did his undergraduate work at San Francisco State College and his graduate work at the University of Wisconsin. His teaching and research focus on courts in the United States, with a special interest in the Supreme Court. He is author of Ideology in the Supreme Court (2017), Specializing the Courts (2011), and Judges and Their Audiences (2006) and co-author of Battle Over the Court (2017). He has also published articles on a range of subjects in political science and law journals. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Teaching and Mentoring Award from the Law and Courts Section of the American Political Science Association and the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching and University Distinguished Scholar Award from Ohio State University.

Table of Contents

Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Preface
About the Author
CHAPTER 1. The Court
A Perspective on the Court
The Court in the Judicial System
The Court as an Institution
What the Justices Do
Historical Developments
CHAPTER 2. The Justices
The Selection of Justices
Who Is Selected
Leaving the Court
Conclusion
CHAPTER 3. The Cases
Reaching the Court: Litigants, Attorneys, and Interest Groups
Deciding What to Hear: The Court’s Role
Conclusion
CHAPTER 4. Decision Making
Components of the Court’s Decision
The Decision-Making Process
Influences on Decisions: Introduction
The State of the Law
Justices’ Values
Group Interaction
The Court’s Environment
Conclusion
CHAPTER 5. Policy Outputs
Areas of Activity: What the Court Addresses
The Court’s Activism
The Content of Policy
Explaining the Court’s Policies
Conclusion
CHAPTER 6. The Court’s Impact
Outcomes for the Litigants
Implementation of Supreme Court Policies
Responses by Legislatures and Chief Executives
Impact on Society
Conclusion: The Court, Public Policy, and Society
Glossary of Legal Terms
Selected Bibliography
Sources on the Web
Case Index
Index

Editorial Reviews

"This text is essential for my ability to teach a course specifically on SCOTUS in any meaningful way."

Hans J. Hacker

"Provides a more in-depth look at the Supreme Court beyond that of the typical American Government textbook."

Michelle Belco

I have used every edition of this book through the years. It is exceptionally well written and presented in a way that is quite accessible to undergraduate students. Baum carefully updates each edition to reflect new research and our expanding knowledge of the Court and its operation. I’m confident that, by the end of the course, my students know everything they need to know about the Court.”

Will Mc Lauchlan

The Supreme Court is suitable for both graduate and upper-level undergraduate courses. Baum does a great job of exemplifying complex ideas in straightforward language. The book’s mixture of resources and represented methodologies provides me with the flexibility to approach core topics in a variety of different ways and to show students different approaches at work.”

Luke Plotica

I like the book. It treats each important aspect of the Court with the proper amount of emphasis. I have used it over the years ever since the first edition came out.

Robert Langran

The right topics are addressed, no important issues are neglected. The author always does an excellent job of updating the text and incorporating the most recent scholarship. Everything is perfect with this book.

Brett Curry

The book is perfect. It introduces students to all aspects of the Supreme Court and is always up to date. I think it is the very best short introduction on the Court.

Adrienne Fulco

“I have used every edition of this book through the years. It is exceptionally well written and presented in a way that is quite accessible to undergraduate students. Baum carefully updates each edition to reflect new research and our expanding knowledge of the Court and its operation. I’m confident that, by the end of the course, my students know everything they need to know about the Court.”

Will McLauchlan