Power and the People: The Evolution of the U.S. Federal Judiciary




« back to classes page
The American Experiment began with the Declaration of Independence and led to the creation of the federal judiciary, one of the country’s greatest experiments. In this course, we will trace the evolution of the courts from their English roots to their formal establishment in the Constitution. We will explore how the Supreme Court, lacking the power of the purse or military, derives its authority from its ability to connect with the people of the US and protect democracy. We will examine creation of the federal judiciary and the power of the Marshall Court, the Court’s evolution through the New Deal, the Vinson Court, the Warren Court’s “Rights Revolution,” and the role of today’s US Supreme Court.

Lauren Andersen
Lauren Andersen is the director of the Utah Judicial Institute. Andersen practiced appellate law in the state of California and presented arguments to the California Supreme Court and the US Supreme Court. During this time, Andersen closely studied the Roberts Court. She has lectured about the Supreme Court and the death penalty. Her opinions were quoted by The New York Times and the ABA Journal. She was previously the director of the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Utah.

10/15/2026
10/22/2026
10/29/2026
11/5/2026
11/12/2026
11/19/2026
12pm–1:30pm

Class Details

6 Session(s)
Weekly - Thu

Location
Virtual - Any Location

Instructor
Osher Online 

Tuition:  $73.00


Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
10/15/2026 - 11/19/2026 Weekly - Thu 12:00 PM - 01:30 PM N/A, Virtual - Any Location  Map Osher Online