KC Johnson

History 7448

American Constitutional History

Tuesdays at 5.30pm

This course explores American constitutional history from the Revolutionary Era to the present day.

Requirements:

• Research Paper (50%)
• Participation (30%)
• Review Summaries & Case Readings (20%)

Required Books:

• Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction
• Nathaniel Frank, Awakening
• Linda Greenhouse, Becoming Justice Blackmun
• Richard Hasen, Plutocrats United
• Michael Klarman, From Jim Crow to Civil Rights 
• Kevin McMahon, Nixon’s Court
• Merrill Peterson, The Great Triumvirate
• Jack Rakove, Original Meanings
• Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers
• Jeff Shesol, Supreme Power
• Melvin Urofsky, Louis Brandeis: A Biography
• Gordon Wood, Creation of the American Republic

Schedule:

August 29. From the Revolution to the Constitution

• Gordon Wood, Creation of the American Republic
• Articles of Confederation

September 5. Constitutional Debates

• (Lawrence Bosket) Jack Rakove, Original Meanings 

1. Military Power: Brutus No. 8; Federalist No. 8 (Roderick Wells)
2. Nature of Senate: Brutus No. 16; Federalist No. 62 (Marina Robinson)

September 12. Slavery & the Congressional Era

• (Christopher Furnari) Merrill Peterson, The Great Triumvirate
• Cases:
  1. McCulloch v. Maryland: John Maiocco

September 26. Reconstruction

• (Carlos Santiago) Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction

1. U.S. v. Cruikshank: Jean Lee
2. Civil Rights Cases: Francisco Manitas

October 10. The Gilded Age & the American State

• (Steven Goldberg) Theda Skocpol, Protecting Soldiers and Mothers

1. Bradwell v. The State: Javier Madina
2. Yick Wo v. Hopkins: Michael Persaud

October 17. The Progressive Constitution

• (Marina Robinson) Melvin Urofsky, Louis Brandeis: A Biography

cases:

1. Meyer v. Nebraska: Howard Zisser
2. Adkins v. Children’s Hospital: Steven Goldberg

October 24. FDR & Civil Rights

• (Roderick Wells) Jeff Shesol, Supreme Power

cases:

1. Korematsu v. United States: Lawrence Bosket
2. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette: Christopher Furnari

October 31: Civil Rights & the Constitution

(Lydia Chais) Michael Klarman, From Jim Crow to Civil Rights

November 7. Constitutional Liberalism

• (Raphael Nelson) Kevin McMahon, Nixon’s Court

cases:

1. Reitman v. Mulkey: Francisco Manitas
2. Milliken v. Bradley: Lydia Chais

November 14. Transitions

• (Jean Lee) Linda Greenhouse, Becoming Justice Blackmun

cases:

1. Bethel School District v. Fraser: Howard Zisser
2. Morrison v. Olson: Steven Goldberg

November 28. Gay Rights & the Constitution

• (John Maiocco) Nathaniel Frank, Awakening

cases:

1. Windsor v. United States: Shumaila Nassir
2. Lofton v. Sec’y of Department of Children and Family Services: Raphael Nelson

December 5. The Roberts Era

• (Michael Persaud) Richard Hasen, Plutocrats United

cases:

1. District of Columbia v. Heller: John Kim
2. NFIB v. Sebelius: Carlos Santiago

December 12. Reading Day

December 23. Final Papers Due by 11.59pm