Constitutional Law
LAW 516 Section 61
David F. Forte
Required Texts:
Sullivan & Feldman, Constitutional Law, 19th edition
Sullivan & Feldman, Constitutional Law, 19th edition, 2017 supplement
Forte, Supplementary Materials
Forte, Spalding, Heritage Guide to the Constitution, Second Edition
Recommended Reference:
Morgan, The Birth of the Republic, 1763-89, ISBN-13: 978-0226923420
First Assignments:
Session One
The Constitution (1)
Read the Constitution through and be prepared for detailed questioning on the meaning of the text.
The text of the Constitution can be found in your textbook or in The Heritage Guide to the Constitution
In addition, pick and read any two short entries of the Constitution from The Heritage Guide
Prepare a brief reflection (no more than 2 pages) on one of the articles describing what if anything you found out that was new to you. Turn in that reflection on the second day of class.
Session Two
The Constitution (2)
Events Leading to the American Revolution, the Independence of the United States, and the Establishment of the Constitution (Reference)
Separate Materials
James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved
Dr. Bonham’s Case
Examination of Benjamin Franklin in the House of Commons
John Dickinson, Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania
Massachusetts Circular Letter
Declaration and Resolves of the First Continental Congress
Necessity of Taking up Arms
Resolves and Recommendations
Mayflower Compact
The Declaration of Independence
Supplementary Materials, pages 1-46
Preamble
Heritage Guide, pages 51-54
Written assignment: prepare and turn in a one or two page reflection on one of the two entries you had read for session 1.