It's Your Education, Make an Informed Choice.

This course focuses primarily on the U.S. Constitution -- the central document of authority in this country. Students will learn how the Constitution was created to establish an ordered society and how it distributes power among the three branches of government.

However, due to the interpretive language of the Constitution, its meaning is constantly up for debate from generation to generation according to the changing times or their specific needs. The Supreme Court is regarded as the primary authority when it comes to interpreting the Constitution and its amendments. The Court’s members understand the importance of practicing restraint when it comes to making decisions about this document.

Course Objectives

• By the end of this course, students will have examined Thomas Jefferson’s view of judicial review and consider the perspectives that judicial review is antidemocratic or that it serves to enhance the functioning of democracy.
• Students will explore the link between popular government and the rule of law and figure out why some provisions of the U.S. Constitution are "troublesome." Participants will also review Dworkin’s view on the judiciary’s role as well as contrast the theory of the "Framers’ Intent" with Bork's "Original Understanding" theory.
• By the end of this course, students will be able to recognize and define the following key terms: the Constitution, implicit rights, framers’ intent, original understanding, judicial review and judicial restraint.