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Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law - The Structure of Government

Approx. 14 hours to complete

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Course Summary

This course, taught by renowned constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, covers the structure of the US government and the interpretation of the Constitution. Students will learn about the history of US constitutional law and how it has evolved over time.

Key Learning Points

Gain a deep understanding of the structure and interpretation of the US Constitution
Learn about landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped US constitutional law
Explore the history of US constitutional law and its evolution over time

Learning Outcomes

Understand the key principles and concepts of US constitutional law
Be able to analyze and interpret the US Constitution and landmark Supreme Court cases
Gain a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of US constitutional law

Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course

Basic knowledge of US government and history
Strong reading and analytical skills

Course Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Course Format

Online
Self-paced
Video Lectures
Quizzes

Similar Courses

The Constitution and Criminal Law
The Supreme Court and American Politics

Related Education Paths

Constitutional Law Certification

Notable People in This Field

Former Supreme Court Justice
Lawyer and Legal Scholar

Related Books

Description

This course will highlight the construction and interpretation of the U.S. Constitution through the centuries. You'll learn the history behind the Constitution, cases that formed important precedent, and how changes in interpretation have been dependent on shifts in cultural and political climate as well as the composition of the Supreme Court.

We'll start with an overview of the Constitution where we'll consider questions such as "Why the Constitution?" and "What function does the Constitution serve?" Next we'll examine how the Constitution and its subsequent interpretation established the powers of the federal, legislative, and judicial branches of government and allocated powers to the states. Join me as we look at the questions both raised and answered by the Constitution and those that interpret it! By the end of this course, you should be able to: - Describe how the structure of the United States government has been shaped by both the text of the Constitution and by subsequent interpretation and practice of political actors in all branches of government - Illustrate compromises found in the Constitution by citing examples and historic background - Articulate the importance of key cases such as Marbury v. Madison, McCullough v. Maryland, and Lochner v. New York - Explain how the outcome of cases is often dependent upon the current cultural and political climate as well as the composition of the court by citing particular cases and important shifts in the court's jurisprudence - Assess the relative suitability of various approaches to constitutional interpretation and analysis

Outline

Welcome - Let's Get Started
Series Introduction
Course Introduction
Welcome Message
Course Overview
The Constitution of the United States of America

Lecture 1 - Why the Constitution?
From the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution
Creating a Federal Government
Allocating Power
The Bill of Rights
Why a Written Constitution?
Recommended Readings
Quiz 1: Why the Constitution?

Lecture 2 - The Federal Judicial Power
The Authority of Judicial Review
Marbury v. Madison - Part 1
Marbury v. Madison - Part 2
Constitutional Limits on the Judiciary - Part 1
Constitutional Limits on the Judiciary - Part 2
Interpretive Limits on the Judiciary
Statutory and Political Limits on the Judiciary
Recommended Readings
Quiz 2: The Federal Judicial Power

Lecture 3 - The Federal Legislative Power
McCullough v. Maryland
The Commerce Clause - Part 1
The Commerce Clause - Part 2
The Commerce Clause - Part 3
The Tax and Spend Power of Congress
The Post Civil War Amendments - Part 1
The Post Civil War Amendments - Part 2
State Limits on Federal Legislative Power
Recommended Reading
Quiz 3: The Federal Legislative Power

Lecture 4 - The Federal Executive Power
When Can a President Act? - Part 1
When Can a President Act? - Part 2
Administrative Agencies
Foreign Policy - Part 1
Foreign Policy - Part 2
Recommended Readings
Quiz 4: The Federal Executive Power

Lecture 5 - Federalism
Federal Preemption
The Dormant Commerce Clause
Recommended Reading
Quiz 5: Federalism

Conclusion
Thank you!
Post-Course Survey

Summary of User Reviews

Read reviews of Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law: Structure of Government course on Coursera. Users have praised the course for its comprehensive coverage of the topic. However, some users have complained about the lack of interactive elements and the high level of difficulty.

Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course

Comprehensive coverage of the topic

Pros from User Reviews

In-depth coverage of constitutional law
Professor Chemerinsky is knowledgeable and engaging
Well-structured course with clear explanations
Suitable for students with a background in law or political science

Cons from User Reviews

Lack of interactive elements
High level of difficulty
Limited opportunities for discussion and interaction with other students
Some users found the course to be too theoretical and abstract

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