Course Description
The meaning and impact of the Constitution of the United States, particularly with regard to the subjects of federalism, separation of powers, the judicial function, and due process of law.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
Graduate law students will not be doing any extra work beyond
that required of the Juris Doctor students. J.D. students are
post-baccalaureate students and the workload expected of them is
the same workload expected of post-baccalaureate graduate
students. Law students are professional students, not
undergraduate students. Graduate law students are primarily
international lawyers seeking expertise in the American legal
system. This expertise is gained through exposure to Juris
Doctor courses.
Athena Title
Constitutional Law I
Equivalent Courses
Not open to students with credit in JURI 4180E or JURI 6180E
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
To familiarize students with basic principles of constitutional law, with regard to constitutional interpretation, judicial review, federalism and the separation of powers and also to introduce students to the subject of constitutional rights and basic features of the federal judicial power.
Topical Outline
(1) origins and legitimacy of judicial review; (2) proper scope of the federal legislative power in light of doctrines safeguarding states from undue federal encroachment; (3) "dormant" or "negative" Commerce Clause and other principles designed to maintain the integrity of the national government and the supremacy of federal legislative programs; (4) appropriate allocation of power among the federal legislative, executive and judicial branches; and (5) protections of liberty and property emanating from Due Process Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments, including both "procedural" and "substantive" due process.
Syllabus
Public CV