This course examines the foundational principles, institutional structures, and individual rights established under the United States Constitution. It explores the allocation and separation of governmental powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the scope and limits of federal authority, the role of judicial review, and the protection of civil rights and liberties under the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.
Special attention is given to Supreme Court case law, constitutional interpretation, and evolving jurisprudence. Students will learn how courts reconcile tensions between federalism and national power, between individual liberty and governmental regulation, and between judicial restraint and activism. This course provides critical grounding for future legal study and practice in all public law fields.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
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Interpret and apply the core doctrines of constitutional structure, powers, and individual rights.
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Understand the role of the judiciary in constitutional interpretation and enforcement.
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Evaluate the scope of congressional, executive, and judicial power under the Constitution.
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Analyze federalism and the balance of power between federal and state governments.
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Explain and apply doctrines related to due process, equal protection, and fundamental rights.
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Engage with the philosophical and historical context of constitutional governance and liberty.
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Develop critical thinking and legal argumentation grounded in constitutional doctrine and precedent.
