U.S. Constitutional and Legal History

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive examination of the development of the U. S. constitutional and legal system from the colonial period through Reconstruction. Although the history of the U. S. Supreme Court plays an integral role in this course, constitutional and legal history transcends the mere study of great cases and judicial decisions; the preeminent role of the president, congress, and the states in the making and development of the constitutional and legal system during the antebellum period – and the larger political, social, and economic forces surrounding and influencing this development – are given greater weight.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the foundations, formation, and development of the U. S. constitutional and legal system during the antebellum period.
• Define the political, social, and economic forces that have shaped U. S. constitutional and legal history.
• Describe the role and development of the U. S. Supreme Court and the interaction between the federal court system and the state courts.
• Describe how the president, the congress, the states, and the people determined constitutional development from the early 1600s to the end of Reconstruction in 1877.
• Develop the skill to explicate the legal ruling in a case and place it in its proper historical and developmental context.
• Delineate the major issues, events, and personalities that have defined the nature and character of the U. S. Constitution.

Attendance

Attendance is expected and will be taken at every class period. For every class you miss, fifty points will be deducted from your total points at the end of the semester. If you have completed all the assignments and finish the semester with a borderline grade, then perfect attendance will raise your final grade one full average point to the next grade level.