Pol Sci 3255 - Development of the American Constitution

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

The practical meaning of the Constitution has changed since 1787-not only as a result of normal amendments and court interpretations, but also through normal politics and unconventional transformations. After initial discussion of the nature of the Constitution and of constitutional interpretation, the course examines important instances of such change processes. These have resulted in important reformulations, usually gradual but occasionally sudden, of executive branch powers, the judicial system, the electoral system, federalism, economic regulation, and civil rights. The course then devotes special attention to several present-day issues of constitutional politics, such as presidential war powers, the use and misuse of secret agencies, the "unitary executive theory," and the special constitutional significance of the Justice Department. Prerequisites: Pol Sci 101B (American Politics). Formerly Pol Sci 3254 (Constitutional Politics in the United States); students who have taken that class are not eligible.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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