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Prof. Victoria J. Dodd,
3 credits day; 3 credits evening. This is a course dedicated to the study of the role of the federal
courts in the federal system. In many ways, it is a combination of advanced constitutional law
and civil procedure, and thus has application to two topics on most state bar exams. Federal
Courts is a course generally taken by most law students in American law schools and has
application to issues in many areas of civil and criminal law practice. The course will be
conducted in a lecture/discussion format, and a few students may have their final exam grade
raised by one-half for outstanding participation. The final exam will be a traditional, essay-style
exam; a number of past exams are available on-line for review.
A study of the federal judicial system and its role in the governmental scheme. Among the topics
to be covered: separation of powers, congressional power to curtail federal jurisdiction, Supreme
Court review of state courts, the case and controversy requirement, federal post-conviction
review, habeas corpus, federal question jurisdiction, state court jurisdiction in Article III cases,
sovereign immunity, immunity in suits against state and federal offices, abstention, and
injunctions against suit.
Prerequisite: Civil Procedure and Constitutional Law. Prerequisites may not be taken
concurrently
Elective Course
Meets Civil Litigation Concentration Requirements
Recommended for the Mass Bar
Final Exam Required
Federal Courts