U Iowa Home Page

Political Science

Contact Info

347 Schaeffer Hall

319-335-2348

timothy-hagle@uiowa.edu

Twitter: @ProfHagle

Spring 2026 Office Hours

Tue & Th: 4:45-6:15

Mailing Address

Dept of Political Science

341 Schaeffer Hall

20 E. Washington Street

The University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa 52242

Posted first 11 papers in the Burger Court Agenda Setting Series.

Posted course evaluations for Fall 2025 courses (POLI:3101 and POLI:3121)

Posted updated Prelaw FAQ for UI students

Posted syllabi for Spring 2026 courses (POLI:1120 and POLI:3120)

Posted evaluations for Spring 2025 courses (POLI:1120 and POLI:3120).

Posted updates to 12 papers in Iowa Voting Series for 2024 election data

New Book: Iowa Votes, updated and expanded 3d edition, published for Kindle devices.

New Book, Riding the Caucus Rollercoaster 2024, published in paperback and for Kindle devices.

New Book, Supreme Court Agenda Setting: The Warren Court, published for Kindle devices and computers with Kindle reader.

My books

$9.99 Kindle ebook

In this course we will examine various aspects of the criminal justice system in the United States.  We will begin with the fundamentals of crime, law, and punishment and continue through various aspects of the process including such topics as the structure of the criminal justice system, elements of crimes, criminal responsibility and defenses, law enforcement and criminal procedure, the pretrial process, the criminal trial, sentencing and punishment, and concluding with a look at appeals and post-conviction relief.  

There will be one primary text for the course (required) and several secondary texts (some recommended, some required).  There will also be a required course pack primarily containing various Supreme Court opinions and additional materials will be on reserve at the main library.

The format of the course will primarily be a combination of lecture and discussion.  Grades will be based on two multiple choice tests and a 10-page paper.

All students in the course will need to have an active email account registered with the university.

Some information for the course:

Books and materials: Spring 2026, five books: a main text (eighth edition of Scheb and Scheb, but the seventh or sixth editions are okay), two reference books (older editions of Gifis are okay, as are other law dictionaries), and two highly recommended books.  The main text and two reference books were ordered through regular sources and Iowa Book or are available via the internet.  I'll discuss this more the first day of class.

Click on the Books link on the left to see the books and links to where you can get them.  (The links are to Amazon, but you can get them from other locations as well.)