America's Unwritten Constitution from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction

Hello everyone and welcome to America’s Unwritten Constitution! This course is designed to teach you some of the basic tool and techniques for constitutional interpretation. Over the next 13 modules, Professor Akhil Amar will teach you how to go beyond the text of the U.S. Constitution, while still remaining faithful to it. Please, take some time to watch the two introductory videos and read through some of the course information below. Enjoy!

Heeding the Deed

Heeding the Deed, refers to the technique of understanding the Constitution further by looking at issues the nation was dealing with at the time of the passage's adoption. Another way to say this could be; putting yourself in the framer's shoes.

Reading Between the Lines

This module teaches the interpretive technique of reading between the lines. This involves extracting, from the text, things that are implicit, but not expressly stated.

Hearing the People

In this module, we explore a number of unenumerated rights that exist simply because Americans embody these rights in their everyday lives. Owning pets, using contraception, testifying at one’s own trial, none of these are explicitly mentioned in the text of the Constitution, yet today, they are recognized as protected fundamental rights. Professor Amar explains why.

Confronting Modern Case Law

The "Confronting Modern Case Law" lectures take a closer look at the Warren-lead Supreme Court. Spanning from 1953 to 1969, his court decided many of the most influential cases is U.S. history. Brown v. Board of Education, Miranda v. Arizona, Griswold v. Connecticut to name a few. Professor Amar, will discuss how the court arrived at their decisions, how these rulings changed American society at the time and how they are still affecting it today.

Putting Precedent in its Place

Professor Amar discusses the role that precedent—that is, prior court decisions—plays in our understanding of the document. He will answer questions about how far courts should go when interpreting the Constitution, and what courts might do when they believe that a prior decision was incorrect.

Honoring the Icons

Here we'll examine documents outside of the Constitution that influence our understanding of the founding text—things like the Declaration of Independence, The Federalist papers, Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, and Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream speech. Professor Amar will explain how these sources have offered meaning and guidance in constitutional interpretation.

Remembering the Ladies

These lectures explore the profound changes American society underwent immediately following the ratification of the 19th amendment. The reverberations of women's enfranchisement are still being strongly felt today. Prof. Amar will highlight some legislation, he believes, directly or indirectly owe their existence to the 19th amendment.

Following Washington's Lead

Undoubtedly, the figure who looms largest in U.S. political history is George Washington. His actions before, during, and after the Presidency set precedents for the executive office which are still observed today. Prof. Amar will explain why Article II of the Constitution was custom written for our first president.

Interpreting Government Practices

This module delves into how the actual structure of each government branch inherently effects their interactions with one another. The framers purposefully under-specified sections of the Constitution, leaving room for flexibility. They rightly assumed future law makers would fill these “gaps” in procedure as need arose. Indeed they have, each time a gap is discovered and bridged, a new precedent is set. Professor Amar will highlight several examples of these powers-set-by-precendent, for each branch of government

Joining the Party

In this module, Prof. Amar chronicles the adoption and evolution of the two party system in America. You'll learn which framers founded each party and how the creation of the parties caused great friction in government. The lectures go on to explain how the Constitution changed to accommodate the two party system and how these changes have made to the two party system inextricably codified into the Document.

Doing the Right Thing

This module discusses the role of conscience in government. It is important for us to remember, the Constitution did not implement itself. It was implemented by human beings with minds, hearts, and consciences. Understanding the interaction between these “human elements” and the text is fundamental to proper interpretation of the Constitution. We’ll go over several codified manifestations of the "human element" in the Constitution, such as the veto and juror nullification.

Envisioning the Future

In the course’s final lectures, we’ll look to the future and ask, "what will the constitution look like in 25 years? 50 years? 100?" Might we soon see an amendment allowing for a foreign born president? Or the dissolution of the Electoral College? Prof. Amar will discuss the idea of "constitutional trajectory," and the factors which affect it. We’ll go over how today’s legislators can be looked at as "framers of the future.” Which will lead to the very interesting topic of “sunrise legislation."

Bonus Content Archive

This content is not tied to the assessment materials in any way but it is interesting, entertaining, and informative nonetheless. We encourage all learners to take some time to watch these videos and post about them in the discussion forums!

Conclusion

Prof. Amar recapitulate concepts learned in this course and discuss his hopes for you all; the matriculants of America’s Unwritten Constitution. We sincerely hope you all have enjoyed the course and learned something along the way! Thank you so much for your time and effort.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores constitutional interpretation, which is a fundamental topic in legal studies

Taught by Akhil Reed Amar, a renowned constitutional law expert

Develops critical thinking and analytical skills essential for understanding the Constitution

Provides a comprehensive overview of constitutional interpretation techniques

Examines key constitutional principles and their application in real-world cases

Suitable for learners interested in law, politics, and American constitutional history

Reviews summary

Well-received american constitution course

Learners say America's Unwritten Constitution is a well-received course, garnering all 5 out of 5 stars from students who completed it. Reviewers seem to have been pleased with the course, but there is limited feedback present at this time.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in America's Unwritten Constitution with these activities:

Review of the Constitution's structure and history

Show steps

Gain a strong understanding of the Constitution's foundational principles to enhance comprehension throughout the course.

Browse courses on US Constitution

Show steps

Explore online resources such as the National Constitution Center's website for interactive tutorials and historical context.
Attend virtual lectures or workshops offered by historical societies or legal organizations.
Read introductory books on the history and structure of the Constitution, such as 'The Federalist Papers' or 'A More Perfect Union.

Participate in a Study Group

Show steps

Enhance your learning experience by joining a study group where you can discuss course material, share insights, and collaborate on assignments, fostering a deeper understanding of constitutional interpretation.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Find a study group
Attend study group meetings
Participate in discussions
Collaborate on assignments

Watch Video Tutorials on Constitutional Law

Show steps

Supplement your learning by watching video tutorials that provide clear and concise explanations of constitutional law concepts, reinforcing your understanding of key principles.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Find reputable video tutorials
Watch the tutorials
Take notes on the key points
Review your notes

Seven other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all ten activities

Solve Constitutional Interpretation Practice Problems

Show steps

Reinforce your understanding of constitutional interpretation techniques by solving practice problems that simulate real-world scenarios, helping you develop critical thinking and analytical skills.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Review the provided practice problems
Analyze the facts of each problem
Apply the relevant constitutional interpretation techniques
Come up with your own solutions
Check your answers against the answer key

Develop a Detailed Research Plan

Show steps

Develop a strong foundation for your understanding of constitutional interpretation by outlining a detailed research plan that will guide your exploration of the topic.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Identify your research question
Review relevant literature
Develop a methodology for your research
Create a timeline for your research

Engage in constitutional debate and discussion

Show steps

Foster critical thinking and develop persuasive arguments by engaging in discussions with peers.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Participate in online forums or discussion boards to share insights and engage with classmates.
Organize study groups or join existing ones to discuss specific modules or cases.

Read 'The Nine' by Jeffrey Toobin

Show steps

Gain insights into the inner workings of the Supreme Court and the justices who have shaped constitutional interpretation in the United States.

Show steps

Read the book
Summarize the main arguments
Evaluate the evidence presented
Draw your own conclusions

Create a Glossary of Constitutional Terms

Show steps

Solidify your understanding of key constitutional terms by creating a comprehensive glossary that defines and explains the concepts crucial to interpreting the Constitution.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Identify the key constitutional terms
Research the definitions of these terms
Write clear and concise definitions
Organize the terms into a logical structure

Create a Podcast on a Constitutional Topic

Show steps

Enhance your understanding of constitutional interpretation by creating a podcast that explores a specific topic in depth, allowing you to engage with the material in a creative and interactive way.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Choose a topic
Research your topic
Write a script
Record your podcast
Edit and publish your podcast

Contribute to a Constitutional Law Open-Source Project

Show steps

Gain practical experience and contribute to the broader legal community by participating in an open-source project related to constitutional law, enabling you to apply your knowledge and make a tangible impact.

Browse courses on Constitutional Interpretation

Show steps

Find an open-source project
Review the project's documentation
Identify an area where you can contribute
Make your contributions

Career center

Learners who complete America's Unwritten Constitution will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Constitutional Law Attorney

Constitutional Law Attorneys need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to represent their clients. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Constitutional Law Attorneys need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Constitutional Law Attorney

Lobbyist

Lobbyists need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to advocate for their clients' interests. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Lobbyists need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lobbyist

Civil Rights Lawyer

Civil Rights Lawyers need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to fight for the rights of their clients. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Civil Rights Lawyers need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Civil Rights Lawyer

Public Interest Lawyer

Public Interest Lawyers need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to advocate for the public good. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Public Interest Lawyers need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Interest Lawyer

Legal Aid Attorney

Legal Aid Attorneys need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to provide legal services to low-income clients. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Legal Aid Attorneys need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Aid Attorney

Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to analyze public policy. This course will help you develop the interpretative techniques that Policy Analysts need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Analyst

Judge

Judges need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to make decisions in legal cases. This course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Judges need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Judge

Government Relations Specialist

Government Relations Specialists need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to advocate for their clients' interests. This course will help you develop the interpretative techniques that Government Relations Specialists need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Relations Specialist

Law Professor

Law Professors need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to teach their students. This course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Law Professors need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Law Professor

Legislator

Legislators need to understand how to interpret the Constitution in order to write and pass laws. This course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Legislators need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legislator

Legal Studies Instructor

Legal Studies Instructors must be well-versed in constitutional interpretation, and those who take this course will become familiar with the basic techniques for this form of interpretation. This course in particular will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Legal Studies Instructors need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Legal Studies Instructor

Journalist

Journalists need to be able to interpret the Constitution in order to report on legal and political issues accurately. This specialized course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Journalists need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Journalist

Historian

Historians need to understand how the Constitution has been interpreted over time, and those who take this course will become familiar with various interpretive techniques. This course in particular will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Historians need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Historian

Political Scientist

Political Scientists need to know how the Constitution is interpreted, and those who take this course will become familiar with the basic techniques for this form of interpretation. This course in particular will help you develop the interpretive techniques that Political Scientists need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Lawyer

Lawyers need to know a great deal about how to interpret the Constitution, and those who take this course will gain experience in constitutional interpretation, which can aid one in legal careers of all types. This course will help you develop the interpretive techniques that lawyers need to succeed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer