Constitutional Law in the American Political Tradition

Catalog description

The Constitution plays a preeminent role in U.S. political history and public discourse. Yet what does it mean for a government or policy to be constitutional—and why do we care so much? This course studies the concept of constitutionalism in the American political tradition. Why does the Constitution play such a significant role in American politics? What philosophical, moral, economic, and political considerations shaped our Constitution—and what might have been left out? What rights does the U.S. Constitution guarantee? How has our understanding of the Constitution—and its role in our republic—shifted over time?