Reading Group in Constitutional Theory
This course explores a variety of foundational topics in constitutional theory. Those topics include the nature and limits of constitutional reasoning, theories of constitutional interpretation, the role of non-judicial actors in determining constitutional meaning, and mechanisms of constitutional change. The course will function as a “book group” meant to facilitate informal discussion. Readings will include a number of the classics in constitutional theory, as well as some more recent work in the field.
This course will be structured as a one-credit, pass-fail course. Please note that although the course structure is similar to Duke’s “Readings in Ethics” courses, and although the instructors have nothing against ethics, this is not an ethics course and does not satisfy the Law School’s ethics requirement. We will meet every other week from 7 to 9 pm in the homes of the instructors. Refreshments will be provided.
The assignments will consist of doing the reading and posting a one-paragraph reaction to the reading on the group’s Blackboard discussion board prior to each class meeting. There will be no paper or exam. The instructors wish to emphasize, however, that the course will require a lot of reading—probably disproportionate to the single credit awarded for completing the course. Because the course will meet only seven times, attendance at each session is mandatory in the absence of an extremely good reason.
This course will be structured as a one-credit, pass-fail course. Please note that although the course structure is similar to Duke’s “Readings in Ethics” courses, and although the instructors have nothing against ethics, this is not an ethics course and does not satisfy the Law School’s ethics requirement. We will meet every other week from 7 to 9 pm in the homes of the instructors. Refreshments will be provided.
The assignments will consist of doing the reading and posting a one-paragraph reaction to the reading on the group’s Blackboard discussion board prior to each class meeting. There will be no paper or exam. The instructors wish to emphasize, however, that the course will require a lot of reading—probably disproportionate to the single credit awarded for completing the course. Because the course will meet only seven times, attendance at each session is mandatory in the absence of an extremely good reason.
Please note that course organization and content may vary substantially from semester to semester and descriptions are not necessarily professor specific. Please contact the instructor directly if you have particular course-related questions.