Theories of Statutory Interprretation

We live in a world of statutes, and most of the U.S. Supreme Court's cases concern the interpretation of statutes. This seminar will introduce students to the deeper theoretical questions and debates surrounding statutory interpretation: How should courts analyze statutory text? What interpretive tools should judges use to determine statutory meaning? Should those tools change when the text is vague or ambiguous? What role, if any, should legislative process materials or realities play in the interpretation of statutes? What are the most salient interpretive trends on the modern Supreme Court? Grades will be based on class participation (including comments and questions submitted on Canvas) and several writing assignments. One of those writing assignments may fulfill the "Additional Upper Level Writing Requirement." Letter Grade only.