Reading Assignment for Section 2.3

Read the following subsection from our online textbook: Section 2.3: The Policy-Making Role of the Supreme Court.

What You Will Learn

In this section, you’ll learn about the concept of judicial review and the composition of the Supreme Court. You’ll explore the differences between the Warren, Burger, and Rehnquist courts. Additionally, you’ll understand the concept of judicial activism, along with arguments for and against it, and how the terms liberal and conservative apply to the high courts and their decisions.

Student Learning Outcomes for Section 2.3

• SLO 1: Explain the concept of judicial review and assess how the Supreme Court uses this power to influence criminal justice policy.
• SLO 2: Describe how the political beliefs of Supreme Court justices can affect their interpretations of the Constitution and influence their judicial decisions.
• SLO 3: Differentiate between judicial activism and judicial restraint and evaluate the importance of balancing these approaches in constitutional interpretation.
• SLO 4: Identify the legal and constitutional limits on judicial activism and explain how these limits preserve the separation of powers and judicial integrity.
• SLO 5: Analyze the role of the Due Process Clause in shaping police procedures and protecting the rights of criminal defendants through landmark Supreme Court cases.