Course

Please note: Due to an unavoidable issue, Richard Rosenthal is unable to teach Part 2. We're delighted to announce that popular OLLI faculty member Bill Sokol will be leading this part of the series.

This four-week course continues an urgent examination of the modern U.S. Supreme Court, with particular focus on the Roberts Court and its profound impact on American democracy. Filling in for Richard Rosenthal, Bill Sokol follows the broad framework of Part I while bringing a distinct and forthright perspective. Through close analysis of landmark decisions, interpretive theories such as originalism and textualism, and the Court’s expanding view of executive and corporate power, the course asks whether today’s Supreme Court has become a driver of democratic erosion rather than its guardian.

The course also explores the increasingly politicized confirmation process, from Robert Bork to Amy Coney Barrett, and considers alternative constitutional visions, including “living constitutionalism,” through dissents and scholarly critiques. The final week looks ahead to current and future cases, the long-term goals of the Roberts Court, and proposed reforms aimed at restoring balance and accountability. Designed as an interactive experience, each session combines lecture, discussion, and ample time for questions, inviting participants to engage critically with the Court’s past, present, and possible futures.

Faculty Bio

Bill Sokol is a Bay Area labor and employment lawyer, a lecturer at SF State University, a gubernatorial appointee to the CalSavers Retirement Investment Board, and was a talk show host on Pacifica Radio for 25 years. He holds a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law.

This is an In-Person, Livestreamed + Recorded Course

• Classes meet in person at the Golden Bear Center, Suite 365 (3rd floor), at 1995 University Ave., Berkeley
• Classes will also stream live simultaneously, and be recorded
• You do not need to have taken Part 1 of this course to fully enjoy Part 2.
• You must be a current OLLI @Berkeley member to register. Learn about membership, including our fee assistance program.

Schedule Highlights

• Course starts on Wednesday, Feb. 18, and ends on Wednesday, March, 11
• Classes meet for 4 weeks, 1.5 hours per session (1:30 -3 PM)
• All course materials will remain in Member Dashboards through March 29

Member Praise for Bill Sokol

This class was GREAT! Bill Sokol really understood the topics his audience was interested in, he knew the BEST speakers to engage for each topic and he did a fabulous job of moderating the questions and engaging in relevant/smart conversation with the guest speakers.

I was a little cautious in taking this course as I thought it might be way above my head. Instead, everything was presented in a most intelligent, interesting, and understandable way.