Political Science Prof. Jerry Goldman, the renowned U.S. Supreme Court researcher, will return to teach Fall Quarter after a three-year research leave funded by the National Science Foundation.
Goldman said he would like to engage students in the Oyez Project, the Web site he created for all audio recorded in the Supreme Court since 1955, as well as identifying additional students to help with it.
“My greatest recruitment approach was teaching undergraduates and identifying those who were especially talented to invite them to become paid employees or supervise my work,” said Goldman, the project’s director. “This year was a special reminder for me to get back to the classroom to find recruits for the Oyez Project.”
The Oyez Project has increased awareness of the government and Supreme Court, and serves as a resource for the public and researchers, said Political Science Prof. Reuel Rogers.
“The workings of the Supreme Court have been pretty mysterious and arcane to most Americans,” he said. “Having a project like this that makes the proceedings of the Supreme Court more accessible to the public brings greater awareness of how our government works.”
Goldman has played a large role in teaching political science to undergraduates and introducing his students to research the Supreme Court, which particularly benefits students with an interest in law, Rogers said.
“Even though he’s been away, he has a great reputation with students,” he said. “He brings a lot of experience and perspective back to the department that in a lot of ways will enhance our undergraduate program going forward.”
Goldman is scheduled to teach American Government and Politics and a research class for senior political science majors next fall. He prefers teaching morning classes because they attract dedicated students, and believes in using the Socratic method, he said.
“If I’m there at eight in the morning ready to go, I expect everyone else is too,” he said. “That may be a wake-up call for some students, but for others, that’s why they came to Northwestern.”
Jessica Wash, who has worked with Goldman for almost a year and a half on the Oyez Project, said she enjoyed working with the oral arguments section of the database.
“He kind of re-imagined this field of Supreme Court history and instead of writing about it, he just turned all of the archives of the Supreme Court and the multimedia resources available to anyone,” the Weinberg senior said. “That speaks to his commitment to educating and sharing information with whoever wants to see it.”
Goldman sometimes brings his black retrievers, Jack and Luna, to visit his classes and office hours, the professor said. He said his students are in for a treat Fall Quarter when he brings them dressed in Halloween costumes.
“Having fun is the joy of teaching and the joy of learning,” he said. “If I can infect my students with a sense of fun and maintain high standards for their work, then students get the best education Northwestern can deliver.”
Goldman said he is ready to go back to teaching and will work to recruit more students for the project.
“I was fortunate to have a multi-year leave and the support of the National Science Foundation,” he said. “Now it’s time for me to get back to doing what I’ve always done and enjoyed.”
