Fall 2022 Course Schedule

U.S. Constitutional Law (LLM Only) (LAW-503L-001)
Fernanda Nicola

Meets: 09:00 AM - 11:50 AM (F) - Yuma - Room Y115

Enrolled: 27 / Limit: 45

Administrator Access


Notices

There are no notices at this time.

Description

This course covers the constitutional foundations of the U.S. legal system through the history of the jurisprudence of the United States Supreme Court. The three main areas of study will include: (i) the structure of the United States government and separation of powers within the federal government and between the federal government and the states; (ii) due process and (iii) equal protection. We will examine the United States Supreme Court's key rulings on the constitutional issues. We will focus on the reasoning and the doctrinal tests that the Court has applied in those rulings. The course will also focus on how the Court's approach to various constitutional issues has developed or changed over time. Being aware of this development is critical to understanding how Supreme Court Justices apply constitutional rules.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

    1. Jesse Choper, Leading Cases in Constitutional Law, A Compact Casebook for a Short Course, American Casebook Series, West Academic Publishing, 2020 Edition (“Choper”)
    2. Robert G. McCloskey, The American Supreme Court, University of Chicago Press, Ltd., 2016 Sixth Edition (“McCloskey”) you should find this used.
    3. Supplemental Readings (Supp. available on CANVAS)
    4. Federalist Papers
    5.Modes of Constitutional Interpretation (2018)

First Class Readings

    1.Introduction/Interpretation of the Constitution I
  • McCloskey, Chapter One: The Genesis and Nature of Judicial Power (McCloskey 1-16)I
  • Federalism: Federalist No. 10 (Supp.)I
  • Separation of Powers: Federalist No. 51 (Supp.)I
  • The Bill of Rights: Federalist No. 84 (Supp.)I
  • Judicial Review: Federalist No. 78 (Supp.)I
  • Origins of Judicial Review: Marbury v. Madison (Choper 1-10)I
  • Read The Constitution, ARTICLES I, II and III

Syllabus

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