Constitutional Theory

Catalog description

Will introduce the key theories that have been put forward in the last 100 years in Constitutional interpratation and how the Supreme Court exercises the power of judicial review. We will read and study key works by famous constitutional theorists of the past like James Bradley Thayer, Alexander Bickel, Charles Black, and John Hart Elly as well as reading the works of contemporary theorists such as Ronald Dworkin, Richard Posner, Robert H. Bork Antonin Scalia, Richard Fallon, Larry Kramer, and Jack Balkin. We will devote one week to each theorist and class participation in discussions is expected. Open to juniors and seniors concentrating in Political Science and Public Policy. Prerequisite: POLS 1160 or 1170 .