COLWRIT 53B
The U.S. Constitution: An Introduction
Designed for visiting and UCB students alike (including incoming LL.M. students) this class will begin by introducing the background, structure, and words of the U.S. Constitution as well as its place in American culture and history. From there, we will explore interpretations of key provisions of the Constitution and work our way towards several challenging questions: Does the Constitution protect democracy or impede it? Is it well-tailored to contemporary realities or an anachronism? Is the U.S. experiencing (as some claim) a constitutional crisis? We will talk a lot. The only prerequisite is your interest.
Topics
- · Become familiar with the U.S. Constitution's structure and most important sections; · Explore the current tensions within the U.S. constitutional system; · Use constitutional issues as a window into American culture and values (and debates about those values); · Identify interests and materials for further study; · Increase your comfort speaking in class and engaging in classroom discussion.
Official catalogue course objectives and student learning outcomes
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027