State Constitutionalism

Participants in this course will discuss some of the distinguishing features of state constitutions not shared with the parallel federal document. Among these features are elected judiciaries, part-time legislatures of plenary power, non-unitary executive branches, frequently employed amendment and revision procedures, and state powers over political subdivisions. Significant attention will be devoted to state judiciaries as the interpreters of state constitutions, including state courts' inherent powers, advisory powers, and relationships with federal and sister-state courts. State constitutions also protect civil liberties differently from the U.S. Constitution, both in kind and degree; these differences will be reviewed through readings in constitutional litigation. The course is not a survey of fifty different constitutions. Instead, it is designed to illuminate the common areas of inquiry in a theoretical field remarkably distinct from the study of the federal Constitution. The final grade will be based on class participation and a take-home exam.

Course Schedule

  • Date: Monday, Wednesday 2:00-3:30PM
  • Location: Chase 110

Course Information

  • Catalog number-Section number: 7966-01
  • Course Type: Lecture
  • Prerequisites: Prerequisite: Constitutional Law, An Introduction
  • Credits (min/max): 3/3
  • Subjects:

Enrollment

  • Enrollment status: Open
  • Current enrollment/capacity: 23/70
  • Reserve population/capacity: 0/0
  • Waitlist enrollment/capacity: 0/50

Grading

  • Grade basis: Student option
  • Satisifies Writing Requirement: No
  • Exam type: TAKE HOME