The Least Dangerous Branch? Understanding the Supreme Court in the 21st Century

 When the Supreme Court was created by our Constitution in 1787, it was intended to be the least dangerous of the three branches of government. In more recent times, the Court has been perceived as more powerful, and often more political, taking on a larger role in our public discourse. In honor of the new 2025-26 Court term, this session will explore the vision of the Court through the eyes of the Founders, and perceptions of its current role in our system of government.

 

Sam Scinta is a Lecturer in the Political Science Department at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, where he is also the Director of the Legal Studies Minor, and a Lecturer in the History Department at Viterbo University. He is the creator and Director of the Common Good Initiative, a program dedicated to civic education and strengthening bonds between citizens and government, within Viterbo’s Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership. As part of this program, Sam created Rebuilding American Civics, a program designed to provide civics education and creating a space for civil discourse for community members, along with Civics and Cinema, a partnership with the Rivoli Theater. For over 25 years, he served as an editor and the publisher of Fulcrum Publishing, a leading independent book publisher. He was also the founder and former Director of IM Education, Inc., a nonprofit focusing on critical thinking and civil discourse within regional high schools. He received his JD from the University of Denver, and has served on several boards in the Western Wisconsin region.