Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 - 8:150 p.m.
Survey Of American Constitutional History
Summer 1999 Telephone: (Work) 882-2839
Michael Downey Ph.D. : (Home) 882-9028
Required Texts:
Our Constitution, The Myth That Binds Us (1988) by Eric Black, Westview Press
About the Course - This course is designed as an overview of the history of the American Constitution. As students interested in this country's constitutional history you should go beyond the mere interest and material presented in the texts. You are excepted to develop an ability to systematically analyze the past and present events that has and will shape constitutional interpretation. This class will be an explorative overview of American Constitutional history and is not intended to be an all inclusive treatment of the subject.
You are expected to come to class, to read the assigned material by the day it is discussed in class and to be ready and willing to participate in class discussions. If you need help or have questions, you should talk to me. If a lecture is missed it is your responsibility to get class notes from another student. So make a friend in class!
The course is structured into four sections: (1) the founding; (2) the Bill of Rights; (3) left out of the Constitution; and (4) the Constitution in our times.
Course Grade - Your grade will be determined on the following:
The tests will be cumulative and will incorporate all assigned readings, materials from the lecture, and classroom presentations for the proceeding period. Make-up tests will not be given. All tests will be essay. Grades will be determined by the attached scale and policy.
Attendance - You are expected and required to be in class. With two three hour classes meeting every week, this is especially important. A roll sheet will be present in class each week and it is your responsibility to sign in. It is not possible to pass the course if you do not attend class.
Tests Dates
Midterm Thursday, July 6, 1995
Final Thursday, August 3, 1995
Lecture/Discussion Topics - Reading Assignments
June 13 Introduction/Course Requirements
Classroom Presentations: (Individual/Group)
Subject Selection
Scheduling
Video
June 15 The Founding - Chapters 1-4
Video
June 20 The Founding - Chapters 5-8.
Classroom Time Dedicated To Presentations
June 22 The Founding - Chapters 8-12.
Classroom Time Dedicated To Presentations
June 27 The Founding - Discussion
The Bill Of Rights - Chapters 13-16
Videos
Midterm Test Review
July 4 Independence Day Holiday
July 6 Midterm
July 11 The Bill Of Rights - Chapters 16-18
Individual Classroom Presentations
July 13
Individual Classroom Presentations-Continued
Group Classroom Presentations
July 25 Left Out Of The Constitution - Chapters 19-22
Video
July 27 The Constitution In Our Times - Chapters 23-25
Video
August 1 The Constitution In Our Times - Chapters 26-28
The Nevada Constitutional History
Videos
Final Test Review
August 3 Comprehensive Final Exam