October 31, 2012

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Wednesday 10/31, we first finished our discussion of the Holland case, and then looked at the previously distributed Maine statutes regarding both common-law crimes in Maine and mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect. We then turned to business ethics. We discussed the recent rise in junk bond borrowing by companies in order to pay dividends to their private equity owners. We started our discussion of the Reardon case, looking at the business practice of obtaining releases of liability. We will continue with the issue and holding of the Reardon case on Friday. The assignment for Friday 11/2 is to review the previously assigned reading to the end of Chapter 2 of the text.

POS 359 FEDERALISM
In class today, Wednesday 10/31, we finished our discussion of McClung, focusing on the deference given to Congress by the Court. We then started our look at Lopez, going through Rehnquist's majority opinion. We will discuss the concurring and dissenting opinions on Friday. The additional assignment for Friday 11/2 is to read and prepare to discuss through p. 337 of the text.

POS 359 THE CURRENT SUPREME COURT TERM
In class today, Wednesday 10/31, we finished going over Roberts' opinion in Parents Involved. We then went through most of Kennedy's concurring opinion in that case. The assignment for Friday is to finish your Fisher paper (Kennedy opinion) which is due at the start of Friday's class.