There is so much that can be said about the United States Constitution. Most simply, it is our country's foundational document that serves as the supreme law of the land. Beyond this, there is controversy. Is it a living document - the product of a particular historical situation to be reinterpreted in later historical contexts - or is it limited to its text and its meaning as intended when written? What the true limits of central government's power? How do checks and balances really work? When is there sufficient government involvement to implicate individual rights under the Bill of Rights? In fact, nothing is simple or static when it comes to constitutional interpretation and ultimately it is up to the Supreme Court to determine what it means. This course will explore various provisions of the Constitution and the Court's interpretation thereof. (This course is often cross-listed with ENG 344, POL 344 and PSC 209.) Prerequisites: ENG 101 or HUM 112 or WLD 101
ENG 101 or HUM 112 or WLD 101