Overview
Trace the development of the Supreme Court from a body with little power to its current status as the most powerful and prestigious judicial institution in the world. For over two centuries, the Court has shaped daily life by defining the boundaries of speech and action since its inception in 1790.
In this comprehensive course, you’ll explore the key figures, cases, and historical moments that have defined the Supreme Court’s role in American history. With 36 engaging lectures from a noted law professor, you’ll gain insights into how individual justices, landmark rulings, and evolving legal doctrines continue to impact society today.
Video Lessons
01: Personality and Principle
Examine the Court’s evolution as an institution and the themes of continuity and conflict in its history.
Length: 34 min
02: Shaping the Constitution and the Court
Discuss the factors that led to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and early debates on governance.
Length: 30 min
03: Ratification and the Bill of Rights
Explore the ratification debates and the addition of the Bill of Rights in 1791.
Length: 30 min
04: John Marshall Takes Control
Analyze the impact of Chief Justice John Marshall’s 34-year tenure and his significant rulings.
Length: 30 min
05: Impeachment, Contract, and Federal Power
Learn about the impeachment of Justice Samuel Chase and landmark cases that shaped federal power.
Length: 31 min
06: Roger Taney Takes Control
Examine how Chief Justice Taney’s views shifted the Court’s interpretation of the Constitution.
Length: 30 min
07: “A Small Pleasant-Looking Negro”
Investigate the Missouri Compromise and the Dred Scott case within the context of slavery in America.
Length: 30 min
08: The Civil War Amendments
Explore the effects of the Civil War and Reconstruction on the Court’s evolution and legal landscape.
Length: 30 min
09: “Separate but Equal”
Delve into the Plessy v. Ferguson decision and the establishment of the “separate but equal” doctrine.
Length: 31 min
10: Two Justices from Boston
Focus on the legal careers of Justices Holmes and Brandeis and their contributions to First Amendment rights.
Length: 30 min
11: The Laissez-Faire Court
Analyze the conflicts over “liberty of contract” and its implications during the late 19th century.
Length: 30 min
12: “Clear and Present Danger”
Discover how World War I influenced the limits of political protest and established the “clear and present danger” test.
Length: 30 min
13: The Taft Court and the Twenties
Examine the conservative Taft Court’s decisions amid post-war cultural shifts in America.
Length: 30 min
14: Wins and Losses for New Deal Laws
Investigate the reactions of the Court to President Roosevelt’s New Deal and its key rulings.
Length: 29 min
15: “Court Packing” and Constitutional Revolution
Explore Roosevelt’s attempt to pack the Court and the “Constitutional Revolution” of 1937.
Length: 30 min
16: The New Dealers Take Control
Understand how personnel changes during the Roosevelt administration impacted the Court’s direction.
Length: 30 min
17: “Beyond the Reach of Majorities”
Examine the Court’s role in protecting the rights of religious minorities through important rulings.
Length: 31 min
18: Pearl Harbor and Panic
Look into the legal cases arising from the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II.
Length: 30 min
19: The Supreme Court and the Communist Party
Discuss major rulings involving the Communist Party and the political climate of the Cold War.
Length: 30 min
20: Thurgood Marshall – Lawyer and Justice
Focus on Thurgood Marshall’s role in civil rights and the dismantling of Jim Crow laws.
Length: 30 min
21: Five Jim Crow Schools and Five Cases
Trace Marshall’s strategy in selecting cases that moved to the Supreme Court to challenge segregation.
Length: 30 min
22: The Hearts and Minds of Black Children
Investigate the implications of the Brown v. Board decision on education and civil rights.
Length: 30 min
23: “War Against the Constitution”
Explore the implementation challenges and societal backlash following the Brown decision.
Length: 30 min
24: Earl Warren – Politician to Chief Justice
Discuss the legacy of Chief Justice Earl Warren and the transformative decisions made during his tenure.
Length: 30 min
25: “We Beg Thy Blessings”
Analyze key rulings on religious neutrality and free speech made between 1947 and 1963.
Length: 30 min
26: “You Have the Right to Remain Silent”
Examine the evolution of defendants’ rights and landmark rulings under Chief Justice Warren’s leadership.
Length: 30 min
27: The Warren Court Reshapes the Constitution
Review several landmark decisions that reshaped American legal and social landscapes.
Length: 30 min
28: Earl Warren Leaves, Warren Burger Arrives
Consider the changes in Court philosophy with the transition from Warren to Burger.
Length: 30 min
29: “A Right to Privacy”
Explore the Court’s pivotal decisions affecting abortion rights and personal privacy.
Length: 30 min
30: From Abortion to Watergate
Analyze key rulings surrounding the Watergate scandal and their implications for executive power.
Length: 30 min
31: The Court Faces Affirmative Action
Investigate the Court’s decisions regarding affirmative action and the implications for diversity.
Length: 31 min
32: Down from the Pedestal, Out of the Closet
Examine how the Court’s rulings addressed issues of gender and sexual orientation.
Length: 30 min
33: Burning Flags and Burning Crosses
Discuss the Court’s decisions involving symbolic speech, including flag-burning and hate speech.
Length: 31 min
34: Prayer and Abortion Return to the Court
Review the continuity of legal battles over prayer in schools and abortion rights.
Length: 30 min
35: One Vote Decides Two Crucial Cases
Explore the Court’s significant decisions influenced by narrow margins and contentious issues.
Length: 30 min
36: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
Conclude with reflections on the historical themes of the Court and its future direction.
Length: 31 min

