BASC70138 - The United States Constitution

Course Description

This seminar will involve a close reading and intensive discussion of the main features and provisions of the Constitution of the United States, from its origins in 1787 through its interpretation in recent times. We will look at both law and history, beginning with the foundations of constitutional thought and the idea of constitutionalism. Then we will examine the Constitution Article by Article, with the aid of excerpts from numerous landmark Supreme Court decisions.

This is not a law school course, but a seminar whose aim is to provide a thoughtful, thorough engagement with the Constitution for the intelligent lay person (or lawyer), making use of key Supreme Court cases to examine and critique its interpretations

Course Outline

REQUIRED TEXTS

1. The Constitution of the United States (any copy; or at Benedict p. 391 and on Canvas course website).

2. Michael Les Benedict, Sources in American Constitutional History (2^nd ed., 2018), ISBN 9781538100127.

3. Material posted on Canvas course site under "Files."

Notes

Online registration deadline: Thursday, March 14, 5 pm CT.

All Graham School courses use Canvas to distribute files and announcements. You will receive an invitation to join Canvas about a week before your course begins. Remote courses require you to login to Canvas to access the Zoom Classroom.

Please visit the Liberal Arts Student Resources page to find step by step instructions for Canvas and Zoom: Online Learning Resources