The Constitution of the United States

The Constitution of the United States Synopsis

This casebook emphasizes the text, structure, and history of the Constitution. It uses "great cases" for learning the major issues in constitutional law, and it gives less attention to small ripples of contemporary doctrine. It emphasizes the task of interpretation, including many examples of the interpretation of the Constitution by the political branches. And it includes features of our constitutional history that are neglected in many casebooks, such as slavery, the amendment process, and the early history of the freedom of speech. The fourth edition has many refinements. It also has new cases on (among other topics) the non-delegation doctrine, legislative investigations, presidential removal, compelled speech, and the free exercise of religion, and new old cases on Article III and on the commerce power. There are also new executive and legislative materials on various topics, including impeachment and the drafting of the Bill of Rights.