Dept Sem:Constitutional Reform

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course offers students an opportunity to reflect on the US constitution and to evaluate its influence on policy-making, governance, and democracy in the United States. Since the Framers drafted the constitution over 200 years ago, the United States has experienced tremendous social, economic, and political change. Yet, except for 27 amendments, the written document remains unchanged. This raises many interesting and important questions. Are the constitution and political system antiquated in light of today’s world? Are the principles upon which our government is based (e.g. federalism, separation of powers, checks and balances) still relevant to addressing and solving contemporary political problems? Are the rights and liberties protected by the constitution (freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly, etc.) still valued in light of the contemporary moral climate and domestic and international security concerns? What parts of the constitution (e.g. bill of rights) still serve us well? What parts (powers of the President, Congress and the Courts, the electoral system, the amending process, the impeachment process, etc.) can be changed to serve us better? This seminar is organized as a constitutional convention. As the new Framers, our goal will be: first, to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the constitution and, second, to rewrite the document both in light of our evaluation and in response to contemporary American political values, norms, culture, conditions, and problems. During the course we will evaluate and debate important constitutional principles, the structure of our political system, the formal powers of our political institutions, the relationships between the major branches of government, the responsibilities and rights of citizens, and the relationships among citizens and between citizens and their government. This class is limited to 15 students. It is designed and organized to facilitate maximum participation and interaction among students. During the first weeks of the semester the class will discuss a set of common readings and debate the merits of the Founders’ original design. During the middle of the semester, the class will be divided into three committees. Each committee will meet during normal class hours, but in three different locations, to debate and adopt a set of amendments to improve the political system and enhance democracy and governance. During the final weeks of the semester, the class will convene as a constitutional convention to debate, vote, and adopt or reject each amendment proposed by each committee. On the last day of the semester, the class will debate the constitution as amended and vote to either adopt or reject it.