December 8, 2011

POS 282--INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Thursday 12/8, we finished our discussion of the McIntyre v. Nicastro Supreme Court decision. I then went over two cases regarding the ownership of land in Maine as a basis for personal jurisdiction, Commerce Bank v. Dworman and Tidwell v. Zawacki. We switched to subject-matter jurisdiction, and went over the Edwards v. Direct Access case from the textbook. Finally, I went over a case recently argued before, but not yet decided by, the U.S. Supreme Court, Mims v. Arrow Financial. We will have exam #2, open-book and open-note, at 9:30 - 10:45 on Thursday 12/15. If there is an emergency that prevents your attendance at the exam, you must e-mail me as soon as possible.

POS 359--THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT TERM
In class today, Thursday 12/8, I distributed one handout, the oral argument schedule that the Court has followed for the past two weeks. We spent a little time going over the Zivotofsky paper, which is due by e-mail at noon on Thursday 12/15. I clarified that you must reach and discuss the Congressional power issue, even if your view is that the case is not justiciable. If you would like to get your paper back at the beginning of next semester, let me know. I then went over the highlight reel of the last two weeks' worth of Supreme Court oral arguments. I wish you all a good holiday break.