Essential to a functioning community is a method to resolve disputes between the members of that community. Ideally, a dispute resolution system should be fair, just, predictable, transparent and efficient. This course will examine various systems that have been developed to resolve disputes. Although it will explore various global approaches and alternative dispute resolution methods, such as negotiation and mediation, a particular emphasis will be placed on the United States legal system. The course will examine the United States courts as political institutions; the function of judicial review; the role of judges; the courts and their role in social change; and the court process, including civil and criminal trials, the role of the jury and judicial review.