This course will provide students with a basic introduction to the American Constitution. Topics will include: the American Constitutional and governmental structures (Article I: Legislative Branch, Article II: Executive Branch, Article III: Judiciary), representative government, fundamental rights, federalism, criminal justice, and nondiscrimination. The Bill of Rights and key amendments (1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, criminal procedure amendments, 14th Amendment) will also be discussed at an appropriate level of depth. Additional topics will include presidential elections and connections between economic law and the Constitution. Additionally, students will also be introduced to the American system of legal education and opportunities for graduate study of law in the United States.

Students should be prepared to actively participate in in-class discussion, do numerous short writing assignments, and take the final exam. The teaching style of this course will: A) Be student-centered B) Comprehensive, and C) Consider why and how, not only what the law is. The professor will encourage students to think about challenging societal and legal problems, give their own ideas, and consider international perspectives.