February 6, 2013

POS 282 INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN LAW
In class today, Wednesday 2/6, I distributed two handouts: one was an explanation of the kind of things that can be a "fact" in a case brief, and the other was my version of the Katko case brief. We spent most of the class going over Prescott, making sure that everyone understood what the Court was deciding, and what the "facts" for the case brief would look like. We did manage to finish our discussion of Glucksberg. The assignment for Friday 2/8 is to finish the Prescott case brief, due at the beginning of class, and also review Katko. The question was also asked about what would happen if all UMaine classes were cancelled on Friday on account of snow. In that unlikely event, I decided, the assignment will not be due until Monday. See you Friday.


POS 384 CIVIL LIBERTIES
In class today, Wednesday 2/6, I distributed one handout, a critique of Hosanna-Tabor. We finished our discussion of the the concurring and dissenting opinions in Smith, and then went on to Hosanna-Tabor and the way in which it distinguished Smith. On Friday, we will return to the fallout from Smith, RFRA and then Boerne. On Friday I also plan to distribute Assignment #1. We will also look at what particular civil rights the class would like to concentrate on for the upcoming weeks (e.g., establishment clause, free press, second amendment). The assignment for Friday 2/8 is to read today's handout, and to review City of Boerne, previously assigned.