CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I

Jonathan H. Adler
Associate Professor of Law
216/368-2535
jha5@case.edu

Spring 2005
MTTh 3:55-5:20

OVERVIEW

This course provides an introductory survey to constitutional law. The primary aim of this course is to familiarize students with historical and contemporary constitutional law doctrine. Topics covered include judicial review, separation of powers, federalism, equal protection and substantive due process.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

Required Texts: The text for this course is STONE, SEIDMAN, SUNSTEIN & TUSHNET, CONSTITUTIONAL Law, Fourth Edition (2001) and the 2004 casebook supplement. Additional assigned readings will be posted occasionally on BlackBoard.

Attendance: Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. If a student is more than 15 minutes late for class, it will count as an absence. If a student has more than three (3) unexcused absences, additional work may be required in order to receive full class credit. Attendance will also be incorporated into the class participation grade. If you are unable to attend class for some reason, please e-mail me before the start of class explaining your absence.

Reading Assignments & Class Participation: Reading assignments from the casebook and any supplemental reading will be posted on Blackboard. Students are responsible for all posted reading assignments and the relevant portions of the casebook supplement, irrespective of whether such material is discussed in class.

Students are expected to read and digest assigned readings prior to class. Much of the reading may be more abstract and more difficult than students have encountered in other first-year classes. As a result, completing each class assignment will typically require more than a single quick read of the assigned material, including note material on the assigned pages.

Class participation will be graded. Final grades for the course can be adjusted a single grade increment up or down for class participation. In other words, students who are consistently well-prepared for class and who regularly contribute to class discussion in a thoughtful and constructive manner can have their grade raised by one increment. Conversely, students who are consistently unprepared for class may have their grades lowered by one increment.

Final Exam: The primary basis for the grade in Constitutional Law I will be a four-hour final exam administered during the exam period. The exam will be limited open-book. Allowed materials will include the casebook, casebook supplement, a student's notes, and an outline prepared by the student himself or herself (or in conjunction with a study group). No additional outside materials, including commercial outlines or treatises, will be permitted. Additional information about the format and content of the exam will be provided near the end of the semester.