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American Constitutional Theory GOVT371 SP

In the first few weeks of the course we shall read and discuss recent works in the subject of constitutional interpretation generally, as well as highly detailed works in the subfield of due process and equal protection. Thereafter, the course will divide into three or four subgroups. Each subgroup shall function as a court, and the remainder of the course will revolve around a series of hypothetical cases--moot courts--that each "Court" must address and resolve. At some point in the semester, every class member will serve as both a lawyer and a judge. Each of the moot courts will be designed to introduce a problem that is only implicit in the proceeding hypothetical case. For the first case, judges may rely upon logic. For all subsequent cases, judges and counsel may only rely upon their court's previous opinion(s). In this way, we shall experience the enterprise of constitutional interpretation in much the same fashion as the American Supreme Court does: As an activity bounded by the constitutional document, legal logic, politics, and precedent.

MAJOR READINGS

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UG Credit: 1.00

Prerequisites: GOVT211 or GOVT212 or GOVT250

Last Updated on MAR-03-1998