Political Science at Cal Poly SLO

Gain multi-dimensional perspectives of Constitutional Law and the Supreme Court

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Program Highlights

Understand how the Supreme Court functions and writes decisions

Review Supreme court decisions and recognize how they impact citizens

Participate in a mock supreme court

Residential Tuition :
$5,298

Commuter Tuition:
$2,998

Session 1:
July 6, 2025 July 18, 2025

Cal Poly - San Luis Obispo
Cal Poly SLO - San Luis Obispo, CA

Testimonials

"This experience was very rewarding. I gained a lot of independence and really learned a lot, I would definitely to this program again."

Julia J.
"Summer springboard was such a great time and I believe I have met some lifelong friends here. I really got to know the career path I chose and also got to know the area and got to explore"

Sophia W.

Course Overview

This class will introduce students to elements of constitutional law and the founding of the Judicial Branch of government. Students will become familiar with how the court works, judicial review, and the limitations of its role. In the process of this class, students will go through a legal simulation (either mock trial or mock supreme court cases) to gain a first-hand understanding of how the process works. Students will also explore the range of internships and careers available in politics and government.

Meet your instructor

Tyler Mark Johnson
Political Science
Cal Poly SLO

Tyler Johnson graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science with an MSc in Comparative Politics with a specialization in Comparative Political Economy. Tyler's research focused on voter behavior and China’s Belt and Road Initiative. He lived in China studying Sino-Iranian Relations. Additionally, Tyler has worked on several political campaigns varying from U.S. Presidents, U.S. Congress (as grassroots organizer and strategist), and the California State Senate.

Topics you'll explore

Course Structure

There are nine 3-hour class sessions over the two-week course. During week one, students have class from 9am-12pm Monday - Friday. During week two, students have class from 9am-12pm Monday through Thursday. Wednesday afternoons of each week are dedicated to students' course-specific academic excursion, guest speaker, or activity.