The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the source of governmental powers in the United States, yet most Americans know very little about what the Constitution actually says or means. This course is designed to introduce you to the substance of the Constitution, what it means, and how we determine or interpret what it means. The primary focus of the course is on Supreme Court decisions and opinions. We will spend the majority of our class time dissecting and discussing the key decisions that have shaped American constitutional law. Through analysis of the Court’s decisions, students will gain an introductory understanding of the complexities involved in constitutional interpretation. We will explore issues related to fundamental constitutional principles affecting the individual, such as free speech, religious freedom, rights of the accused, search and seizure, racial discrimination, equal protection, and the right to privacy.
