KC Johnson

History 7448

American Constitutional History

This course explores American constitutional history from the Revolutionary Era to the present day. It will be taught partly synchronously–in two groups, during the Monday timeslot–and partly asynchronously.

Requirements:

• Research Paper (40%)
• Participation (30%)
• Review Summaries & Case Readings (20%)
• Asynchronous Lecture Questions/Reactions (10%)

Required Books:

• Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction
• Linda Greenhouse, Becoming Justice Blackmun
• Mollie Hemingway & Carrie Severino, Justice on Trial
• Michael Klarman, From Jim Crow to Civil Rights 
• Ruth Marcus, Supreme Ambition
• Kevin McMahon, Nixon’s Court
• Jack Rakove, Original Meanings
• Jeff Shesol, Supreme Power
• Gordon Wood, Creation of the American Republic

Schedule:

July 13. Foundations

• (Saleema Josey) Gordon Wood, Creation of the American Republic
• (Ryan Binongo) Jack Rakove, Original Meanings
• Articles of Confederation
• Military Power: Brutus No. 8; Federalist No. 8
• Nature of Senate: Brutus No. 16; Federalist No. 62

July 15 (asynchronous): Slavery, Expansion, and the Crisis of the Constitution

July 20. Reconstruction & the Gilded Age

• (Max Narotzky) Eric Foner, A Short History of Reconstruction
• cases:

1. U.S. v. Cruikshank: Isaiah McCoy
2. Civil Rights Cases: Fatima Sahin
3. Bradwell v. The State: Sharmaine Pierre
4. Yick Wo v. Hopkins: Trisha Bazile

July 22 (asynchronous): The Progressive Constitution

July 27: FDR & Civil Rights

• (Sharmaine Pierre) Jeff Shesol, Supreme Power

cases:

1. Korematsu v. United States: Saleema Josey
2. West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette: Ryan Binongo
3. Meyer v. Nebraska: Max Narotzky
4. Adkins v. Children’s Hospital: Rashawn Hollenquest

July 29 (asynchronous): The Cold War & the Constitution

August 3: Civil Rights & the Constitution

(Rashawn Hollenquest) Michael Klarman, From Jim Crow to Civil Rights

cases:

1. Sweatt v. Painter: Isaiah McCoy
2. Smith v. Allwright: Fatima Sahin
3. Reitman v. Mulkey: Trisha Bazile
4. Milliken v. Bradley: Rashawn Hollenquest

August 5 (asynchronous): Political Scandal & the Constitution

August 10: Battles over the Court

• (Isaiah McCoy) Kevin McMahon, Nixon’s Court
• (Trisha Bazile) Linda Greenhouse, Becoming Justice Blackmun

cases:

1. Bethel School District v. Fraser: Saleema Josey
2. Morrison v. Olson: Ryan Binongo
3. Planned Parenthood v. Casey: Max Narotzky
4. Romer v. Evans: Sharmaine Pierre

August 12 (asynchronous): Gay Rights & the Constitution

August 17. The Modern Era

• Mollie Hemingway & Carrie Severino, Justice on Trial
• (Fatima Sahin) Ruth Marcus, Supreme Ambition

cases:

1. Sharmaine: Kelly v. United States
2. Ryan: Chiafalo v. Washington
3. Saleema: Trump v. Mazars USA
4. Max: June Medical Services v. Russo
5. Trisha: Our Lady of Guadalupe School v. Morrisey
6. Isaiah: NYState Rifle & Pistol Assoc. v. City of New York
7. Rashawn: McGirt v. Oklahoma

August 21. Final Papers Due by 11.59pm