KC Johnson

This course examines American constitutional history from the colonial era to the present. Topics include colonial debates about representation and republicanism; the drafting and ratification of the Constitution; debates over slavery; the judiciary and American economic growth; imperialism; the Constitution and reform politics; national security and civil liberties; civil rights; the Warren Court and rights-related liberalism; Vietnam and war powers; and the Supreme Court’s role in late 20^th and early 21^st century politics.

Books

1. Bernard Bailyn, To Begin the World Anew; or: access through BC weblink
2. Michael Klarman, From Jim Crow to Civil Rights; or: access through BC weblink
3. David Kyvig, Explicit & Authentic Acts

My Contact Information:

• email: kcjohnson9@gmail.com
• cell: 207-329-8456
• skype: kcjohnson9

Lecture Notes for Previous Classes

Moot Court Groups

Schedule:

1. Tuesday, January 27: Introduction
2. Thursday, January 29: Colonial Foundations of Constitutionalism
3. Tuesday, February 3: QUIZ #1: The Revolution and Constitutional Experimentation
4. Thursday, February 5: QUIZ #2: Writing the Constitution
5. Tuesday, February 10: Debating the Constitution
6. Tuesday, February 17: QUIZ #3: Implementing the Constitution
7. Thursday, February 19: The Evolution of American Constitutionalism
8. Tuesday, February 24: QUIZ #4: Slavery, Union, and the Constitutional Order
9. Thursday, February 26: QUIZ#5: The Constitutional Crisis of the 1850s
10. Tuesday, March 3: The Civil War and Its Aftermath
11. Thursday, March 5: QUIZ#6: Reconstruction
12. Tuesday, March 10: Political, Professional, and Constitutional Debates
13. Thursday, March 12: Progressivism and the Law
14. Tuesday, March 17: Midterm Exam
15. Thursday, March 19: Progressivism and the Law, II
16. Tuesday, March 24: The Conservative Turn
17. Thursday, March 26: The New Deal and the Constitutional Order
18. Tuesday, March 31: MAKEUP QUIZ: National Security and Civil Liberties
19. Thursday, April 2: Civil Rights and the Law
20. Tuesday, April 7: Lyndon Johnson & Constitutionalism
21. Tuesday, April 21: From Fortas to Carswell
22. Thursday, April 23: Watergate
23. Tuesday, April 28: The Rise & Fall of Rights-Related Liberalism
24. Thursday, April 30: Reagan & the Constitution
25. Tuesday, May 5: Constitutional Controversies: The 1990s
26. Thursday, May 7: Political Controversies: Impeachment and Recount
27. Tuesday, May 12: Terrorism and the Constitutional Order
28. Thursday, May 14: Constitutional Debates in the 2008 Election
29. Tuesday, May 19: Final Exam, 3.30pm-5.30pm