Separation of Powers

Catalog description

This course will consider the dynamic nature of separation of powers in the American constitutional system, particularly with respect to the relationship between the executive and legislatives branches of the national government, but consideration will also be given to the role of the judicial branch and its interactions with the executive and legislative branches (to which the courts typically refer as the "political branches"). The readings will include some of the founding era documents, constitutional cases, materials such as presidential messages and statements, executive branch legal opinions, and secondary materials. Students will gain a working knowledge of the field through the required readings and develop seminar paper topics during the first part of the semester; they will present the results of their research to the class in the latter part of the semester and will submit papers at the end of the semester. The goal of the course is to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the separation of powers doctrine in the American system of government. They will be expected to show that mastery through classroom participation, oral research presentations, and the submission of final written papers.