Explore the foundations and evolution of American constitutional law in this comprehensive 6.5-hour course. Delve into the origins and functions of the Constitution, examine landmark decisions of the Marshall Court, and analyze the scope of executive power. Investigate the changing interpretations of the Commerce Clause, from the New Deal era to present day. Examine crucial individual liberty issues, including contract rights, privacy, abortion, and LGBTQ+ rights. Study the development of equal protection, civil rights, and the ongoing debates surrounding affirmative action. Analyze sex discrimination and women's rights cases, and gain insight into the nature of judicial power. Conclude by examining the intricate relationship between politics and constitutional law, providing a thorough understanding of the US legal system's cornerstone.
Overview
Syllabus
- By This Professor
- 01: Origins and Functions of the Constitution
- 02: The Marshall Court and the Constitution
- 03: The Scope of the Executive Power
- 04: Congress and the New Deal Commerce Clause
- 05: Congress and the Commerce Clause Today
- 06: Individual Liberty: Contracts and Privacy
- 07: Liberty Disputed: Abortion and Gay Rights
- 08: Equal Protection and Civil Rights
- 09: The Affirmative Action Conundrum
- 10: Sex Discrimination and Women’s Rights
- 11: The Nature of the Judicial Power
- 12: The Politics of Constitutional Law
Taught by
Eric Berger, J.D.
