Assignment task: You'll focus on the basis of judicial decisions, approaches for analyzing those decisions, as well as the impact they have on society, precedent, and the law.
1. Discuss whether judicial decisions are based on a) facts, laws, and precedent (the legal subculture); b) public opinion, politics, localism (democratic subculture); or c) both. Provide specific examples and cite any sources used.
2. Discuss whether the four theories or approaches (cue, small-group analysis, attitude, and rational choice) for analyzing judicial decisions are equally useful. Provide specific examples and cite any sources used.
3. Explain whether judicial decisions should reflect public opinion, using a specific example, and cite any sources used.
4. Describe the impact of judicial decisions on law, precedent, and social policy. Provide specific examples and cite any sources used.