Readings

[Epstein] = Epstein, Lee, and Thomas G. Walker. Constitutional Law for a Changing America: A Short Course. 5 ed. CQ Press College, 2011. ISBN: 9781608716975.

[Baum] = Baum, Lawrence. The Supreme Court. 11 ed. CQ Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781452220963.

Readings with an asterisk (*) can be found by registering at the Constitutional Law for a Changing America Resource Center website and visiting the A Short Course archive.

SES # TOPICS READINGS
I. Introduction
1 Introduction No readings
II. Judicial Review: The What, Who, And How Of Constitutional Interpretation
2 The Role of Courts in Our Federal System

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 59–67.

[Baum] Chapter 1: "The Court." pp. 1–11.

[Baum] Chapter 2: "The Justices." pp. 35–9, and 41–9.

[Baum] Chapter 5: "Policy Outputs." pp. 162–7.

Hamilton, Alexander. "The Federalist, No. 78: The Judiciary Department." constitution.org.
3 Judicial Review I: Origins of Judicial Review

The Constitution of the United States, Article III, Sections 1 and 2, archives.gov.

[Epstein] "Marbury v. Madison." pp. 68–75.

*Martin v. Hunter's Lessee.

*Cooper v. Aaron.

Abraham Lincoln's First Inaugural Address, Wikisource.org

Optional

McConnell, Michael W. "The Story of Marbury v. Madison: Making Defeat Look Like Victory." Chapter 1 in Constitutional Law Stories. Edited by Michael C. Dorf. 2nd ed. Foundation Press, 2009. ISBN: 9781599411699.
4 Judicial Review II: Limits on Judicial Review

[Epstein] "Ex parte McCardle." pp. 75–7.

Friedman, Leon. "Overruling the Court." In The Enduring Debate: Classic and Contemporary Readings in American Politics. Edited by David T. Canon, John J. Coleman, and Kenneth R. Mayer. 6 ed. W. W. Norton & Company, 2011. ISBN: 9780393912050.

[Baum] Chapter 6: "The Court’s Impact." pp. 202–12.

Clark, Tom S. "Court-Curbing Bills." Chapter 2.3.1 in The Limits of Judicial Independence. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780521135054. [Preview with Google Books]

———. "Types of Proposals." Chapter 2.3.2 in The Limits of Judicial Independence. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780521135054. [Preview with Google Books]

———. "Court-Curbing and the Electoral Connection." Chapter 4 in The Limits of Judicial Independence. Cambridge University Press, 2010. ISBN: 9780521135054. [Preview with Google Books]
5 What types of disputes are suitable for Courts?

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 77–84.

Political Questions:

*Luther v. Borden.

*Baker v. Carr.

*Powell v. McCormack.

Standing:

Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife.
6 The Art of Judicial Interpretation

[Epstein] Part I: "The U.S. Constitution." pp. 31–51.

[Baum] Chapter 4: "Decision Making." pp. 114–31, and 140–8.

Optional

Souter, David H. "Text of Justice David Souter’s speech," Harvard Gazette, May 27, 2010.
III: Nation-State Relations (Federalism)
7 Principles

Madison, James. "The Federalist, No. 51: The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." constitution.org.

[Epstein] Part III: "Nation-State Relations." pp. 181–8.

[Epstein] "McCulloch v. Maryland." pp. 188–92.

*New York v. United States.

[Epstein] "Printz v. United States." pp. 204–9.
8 Commerce Clause I: Historical Evolution of Commerce Clause

[Epstein] Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3, Appendix 1: "Constitution of the United States." pp. 693.

[Epstein] Part III: "Nation-State Relations." pp. 211–3.

[Epstein] "Gibbons v. Ogden." pp. 211–7.

[Epstein] Part III: "Nation-State Relations." pp. 220–3.

Fireside Chat on Reorganization of the Judiciary, March 9, 1937, mhric.org.

Gillman, Howard, Mark A. Graber, and Keith E. Whittington. "Franklin Roosevelt, Fireside Chat on Court-Packing Plan (1937)." In American Constitutionalism, Volume I: Structures of Government. Oxford University Press, 2012, pp. 433–6. ISBN: 9780199751266.

———. "Senate Judiciary Committee Report on President Roosevelt's Court-Packing Plan (1937)." In American Constitutionalism, Volume I: Structures of Government. Oxford University Press, 2012, pp. 437–8. ISBN: 9780199751266.

[Epstein] "National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Steel Corporation, and Wickard v. Filburn." pp. 211 –7.

[Epstein] "Box 7–4." pp. 217

[Epstein] "Heart of Atlanta v. United States." pp. 247–50.
9 Commerce Clause II: Limits on Congress Commerce Clause Power

[Epstein] "United States v. Lopez." pp. 237–42.

[Epstein] "Gonzales v. Raich." pp. 243–7.

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.

Optional

Toobin, Jeffrey. "You Should Do It." Chapter 21 in The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court. Anchor Books, 2013. ISBN: 9780307390714.

———. "Broccoli." Chapter 22 in The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court. Anchor Books, 2013. ISBN: 9780307390714.

———. "The 'Effective' Argument." Chapter 23 in The Oath: The Obama White House and the Supreme Court. Anchor Books, 2013. ISBN: 9780307390714.
10 Taxing and Spending Power

[Epstein] Part III: "Nation-State Relations." pp. 257–62.

[Epstein] "South Dakota v. Dole." pp. 270–4.

National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius.

Adler, Jonathan. "Could The Health Care Decision Hobble The Clean Air Act?" perc.org.
11 Power to Enforce Constitutional Rights

[Epstein] "Amendment XIV, Sections 1, and 5." pp. 699.

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 599–602.

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 116–7.

Katzenbach v. Morgan.

City of Boerne v. Flores.
IV: Balance Of Powers Within Federal Government
12 Introduction

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 57–62.

Madison, James. "The Federalist, No. 51: The Structure of the Government Must Furnish the Proper Checks and Balances Between the Different Departments." constitution.org.
13 Legislature I: Legislative Powers

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 88–90.

[Epstein] "McCulloch v. Maryland, and United States v. Comstock." pp. 101–9.

United States v. Comstock.
14 Legislature II: Separation of Powers

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 117–8.

[Epstein] "Mistretta v. United States." pp. 118–21.

[Epstein] "Immigration and Naturalization Service v. Chadha." pp. 121–5.

[Epstein] "Clinton v. City of New York." pp. 133–7.
15 Executive I: Principles of Executive Power

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 127–33.

[Epstein] "Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer." pp. 165–9.

Optional

Bellia, Patricia L. "The Story of the Steel Seizure Case." Presidential Power Stories. Edited by Christopher H. Schroeder and Curtis A. Bradley. Foundation Press, 2008, pp. 233–85. ISBN: 9781599413730.
16 Executive II: Appointments and Removal Power

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 138–41.

(Pay careful attention to the description of Buckley v. Valeo.)

*Bowsher v. Synar.

*Morrison v. Olson.

Optional

Stack, Kevin M. "The Story of Morrison v. Olson: The Independent Counsel and Independent Agencies in Watergate's Wake." Presidential Power Stories. Edited by Christopher H. Schroeder and Curtis A. Bradley. Foundation Press, 2008, pp. 401–46. ISBN: 9781599413730.
17 Executive III: Judicial Authority over Executive

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 141–2.

[Epstein] "United States v. Nixon." pp. 142–7.

[Epstein] Part II: "Institutional Authority." pp. 147–8.

[Epstein] "Clinton v. Jones." pp. 148–52.
V: Substantive Due Process
18 Principles [Epstein] "Amendment XIV, Section 1." pp. 699.
19 Economic Liberty

[Epstein] Part IV: "Economic Liberties." pp. 297–8.

[Epstein] "Lochner v. New York." pp. 303–7.

*Nebbia v. New York.

[Epstein] "West Coast Hotel v. Parrish." pp. 312–6.
20 Personal Liberty & Right to Privacy I: Abortion

[Epstein] Part V: "Civil Liberties." pp. 489–91.

[Epstein] "Griswold v. Connecticut." pp. 491–6.

[Epstein] Part V: "Civil Liberties." pp. 497–8.

[Epstein] "Roe v. Wade." pp. 498–506.

[Epstein] Part V: "Civil Liberties." pp. 506–13.

Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania, et al., v. Robert P. Casey, et al.

Rosen, Jeffrey. "The Day After Roe," The Atlantic, June 1, 2006.

Deprez, Esmé E. "How State Governments Are Regulating Away Abortion," BloombergBusinessweek, January 17, 2013.
21 Personal Liberty & Right to Privacy II: Right to Privacy Beyond Abortion

[Epstein] Part V: "Civil Liberties." pp. 513–4.

[Epstein] "Lawrence v. Texas." pp. 515–21.

[Epstein] "Cruzan v. Director, Missouri Department of Health." pp. 521–7.
22 Class exercise: Legal Simulation No readings
VI: Equal Protection
23 Principles

[Epstein] "Amendment XIV, Section 1." pp. 699.

Gillman, Howard, Mark A. Graber, and Keith E. Whittington. "Constitutional Amendment and Ratification-Note: The Validity of the Fourteenth Amendment." In American Constitutionalism, Volume I: Structures of Government. Oxford University Press, 2012, pp. 294–5. ISBN: 9780199751266.

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 596–9.

United States v. Carolene Products Co.
24 Racial Discrimination I: Historical Evolution

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 603–4.

[Epstein] "Plessy v. Ferguson." pp. 604–8.

[Epstein] "Korematsu v. United States." pp. 160–4.
25 Racial Discrimination II: Brown v. Board of Education and its aftermath

[Epstein] "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka." pp. 608–14.

Aftermath

State resistance:
Brown v. Board of Education: Virginia Responds

Executive enforcement:
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site, nps.gov.

"Dwight D. Eisenhower Talks to the Nation about Desegregation in Arkansas," whitehouse.c-span.org.

Judicial enforcement:
*Cooper v. Aaron.

Legislative enforcement:
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, justice.gov.

[Baum] Chapter 6: "The Court's Impact." pp. 190–3.

Washington v. Davis.
26 Racial Discrimination III: Affirmative Action Cases

Adarand Constructors, Inc. v. Peña.

[Epstein] "Grutter v. Bollinger." pp. 633–4, and 638–46.
27 Gender Discrimination

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 614–5.

[Epstein] "Craig v. Boren." pp. 618–22.

*United States v. Virginia.

Equal Rights Amendment, now.org
28 Economic Discrimination

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 622.

[Epstein] "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez." pp. 622–7.

Did the Court get it right?

Sutton, Jeffrey S. "San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez and its Aftermath." Virginia Law Review 94, no. 8 (2008): 1963–86.

Epstein, Diana. "Measuring Inequity in School Funding," americanprogress.org, August 3, 2011.

Gilens, Martin. "Policy Consequences of Representational Inequality." Chapter 9 in Who Gets Represented? Edited by Peter K. Enns and Christopher Wlezien. Russell Sage Foundation, 2011. ISBN: 9780871542427. [Preview with Google Books]
29

Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Marriage I:

Sexual Orientation / Same-Sex Marriage Cases

[Epstein] "Romer v. Evans." pp. 627–32.

Talbot, Margaret. "A Risky Proposal," New Yorker, January 18, 2010.

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Brief of Petitioners (PDF), Hollingsworth v. Perry, americanbar.org.

This resource may not render correctly in a screen reader.Brief for Respondents (PDF), Hollingsworth v. Perry, americanbar.org.

"Hollingsworth v. Perry: Full Transcript of Oral Arguments On Gay Marriage Released (AUDIO)." Huffington Post, March 26, 2013.
30a

Sexual Orientation and Same-Sex Marriage II:

Future of same-sex marriage laws at the state level

Ball, Molly. "A Coming Wave of Gay Marriage Electoral Victories?" The Atlantic, August 7, 2012.

Gelman, Andrew, Jeffrey Lax, et al. "Over Time, a Gay Marriage Groundswell." New York Times, August 21, 2010.

Brownstein, Ronald. "Leaving Same-Sex Marriage to the States is a Recipe for Confusion." The Atlantic, March 27, 2013.
30b Voting

[Epstein] Part VII: "Civil Rights." pp. 666–9.

[Epstein] "Reynolds v. Sims." pp. 669–72.

Ansolabehere, Stephen, Alan Gerber, et al. "Equal Votes, Equal Money: Court-Ordered Redistricting and Public Expenditures in the American States." American Political Science Review 96, no. 4 (2002): 767–77.