FRS 003 — Sec. 006 — (1 unit) — CRN 53614 — W 4:10-5:00pm — 263 Olson
Current Issues in Constitutional Law

Instructors: Alan Brownstein and Carlson Larson, School of Law

Description: This seminar would examine a variety of issues that are at the forefront of disputes in modern constitutional law, including abortion, free speech, the role of religion in public life, affirmative action, equality, and the role of the Supreme Court. The seminar is intended to make students aware of and to think critically about constitutional issues that they are likely to encounter in the news. The goal is not to produce constitutional lawyers, but broadly informed and intelligent citizens with an appreciation for the subtleties and complexities of constitutional reasoning.

Format: The course will meet once a week for a 10-week period, with each of us teaching five of the classes. The course will be based on Richard Fallon’s “The Dynamic Constitution,” a modern survey of constitutional law. We may supplement this book with additional readings as well.Grading: Grades for the course will be based on class participation (60%) and a final essay of 5 pages discussing some aspect of constitutional law (40%).

About the Instructors: Professor Brownstein is a member of the faculty of the School of Law. His research interests focus on the religion clauses of the First Amendment, free speech doctrine, rights of privacy and personal autonomy, and Takings clause issues. Current research involves the development of a more complex free exercise jurisprudence than the courts currently recognize. He teaches Constitutional Law I and II, Law and Religion, and Torts.

Professor Larson is a member of the faculty of the School of Law. His research interests focus on constitutional law and American legal history. He is currently working on projects relating to the constitutionality of enemy combatant detentions and the history of treason law in America. He teaches Constitutional Law I and II and Legal History.