LX4021: AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONAL LAW (2016-2017)

Course Aims: The aim of the course is to teach and discuss topics of American constitutional law which are of contemporary interest. Main Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding The outcome should be the critical appreciation/assessment of the problems posed before the US Supreme Court. These may include: abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality and same-sex marriage, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, discrimination, the right to privacy. Students are also expected to have a solid understanding of the American system of judicial review and the different approaches to constitutional interpretation. Subject Specific Skills and Concepts The skills students will acquire or develop are:

• Analytical skills to construct well-reasoned arguments concerning issues of constitutional rights;
• Ability to criticise such arguments;
• Skills of synthesis in piecing together historical, institutional and philosophical insights in assessing the problem of constitutional design;
• Research skills, cooperative skills and oral skills through working together on a topic and making presentations. Key Skills (Transferable)
• Communicate orally and in writing;
• Ability to work effectively in small groups to contribute to the group’s task;
• Ability to work independently, to organise and manage time, stress and effort in performance of tasks;
• Problem solving skills;
• Critical analysis;
• Logical argument;
• An ability to synthesise and organise complex materials and arguments;
• With limited guidance act independently, and where appropriate as part of team, in planning and undertaking tasks;
• Conduct formal and informal oral presentations;
• Make appropriate use of technology in research, writing and oral presentations;
• Reflect on own learning and to seek and make use of feedback. Content: The course covers topics which may vary from year to year but, for example, include:
• The emergence of the American style judicial review;
• Theories of constitutional interpretation (with a special focus on originalism);
• The right to privacy – abortion;
• The right to privacy – homosexuality and same-sex marriage;
• Freedom of religion;
• Affirmative action;
• Voting rights;
• Surveillance and Technology.

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

More Information about Week Numbers

1st Attempt: One 2,500 word essay (25%) and 1 three-hour written examination (75%). Resit: Normally, no resit is available.

One 1,000 word essay for MA Legal Studies students.