The Federal Judiciary

I.              Sources of American Law

                A.  Common Law

                B.  Constitutions

                C.  Statutes and Administrative Regulations

                D.  Case Law

II.            Federal Court System

                A.  Two Basic Judicial Requirements

                                1.  Jurisdiction

                                                a.  Federal Question

                                                b.  Diversity of Citizenship

                                2.  Standing to Sue

III.           Types of Courts

                A.  U.S. District Courts

                                1.  Trial courts

                B.  U.S. Courts of Appeals

                                2.  Appeals courts

                C.  U.S. Supreme Court

IV.           Selecting Federal Judges

                A.  Federal District Court Judgeships

                B.  Federal Courts of Appeals Appointments

                C.  Supreme Court Appointments

V.            Policymaking Functions:  Judicial Activism vs. Judicial Restraint

                A.  Judicial Activism

                                1.  Warren Court and civil rights.

                B.  Judicial Restraint

                                2.  Turning to the Right on the Rehnquist Court

VI.           What Checks Our Courts?

                A.  Executive checks

                B.  Legislative checks

                C.  Public Opinion