American Constitutional Law: Powers and Liberties [Connected eBook with Study Center]

by Calvin R. Massey, Brannon P. Denning

Overview

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American Constitutional Law: Powers and Liberties provides a broad survey of the field without overwhelming students. The basics of constitutional theory are presented without getting mired in highly theoretical discussions, and cases are tightly edited to focus on the most important aspects, with additional cases on select topics condensed into narrative summaries.

This book focuses on cases and expository text rather than extensive academic commentary, and the introductory text provides direction to students as they read and analyze the materials that follow. Additionally, challenging hypotheticals are provided throughout the text for use as student self-assessments or to launch stimulating class discussions. This highly teachable book can be used for a one- or two-semester course and is easily adaptable to suit each professor’s preferences. 

 New to the 7th Edition:  

• Updated through the Supreme Court’s 2021–2022 Term 
• Summarizes or omits older or outdated cases to reduce length 
• New questions and problems for added cases to promote self-assessment 

Benefits for instructors and students: 

• Easily adaptable to a one- or two-semester course 
• “Just-right” editing of major cases, with less important cases summarized in notes or narrative summary 
• Even-handed presentation of cases so adopters don’t have to “teach against” the text 
• Narrative introductions provide students with context and organizational structure 
• Ideologically neutral tone appeals to professors occupying various points on an ideological spectrum 
• Supplemented annually 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781543856439
Publisher:	Wolters Kluwer Law & Business
Publication date:	02/01/2023
Series:	Aspen Casebook Series
Edition description:	Seventh Edition
Pages:	1362
Product dimensions:	7.38(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Preface

Acknowledgments

The Constitution of the United States

I. THE ROLE OF THE COURTS IN CONSTITUTIONAL INTERPRETATION

Chapter 1

Judicial Review and Constitutional Structure

A. The Origins and Theory of Judicial Review

B. The Power to Review State Court Judgments

C. The Adequate and Independent State Grounds Doctrine

D. The Utility of Judicial Review

E. Methods of Constitutional Interpretation

F. The Uneven Nature of Judicial Review: Tiered Review and the Unequal

Status of Constitutional Claims

Chapter 2

Doctrines Limiting the Scope of Judicial Review

A. Direct Political Controls: Amendment, Appointment, and Impeachment

B. Congressional Power to Control the Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts

C. Justiciability: The Proper Role of Federal Courts

D. The Eleventh Amendment

II. ENFORCING THE CONSTITUTIONAL ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT POWER

A. Who Should Decide Federalism Issues?

B. What Is the Purpose or Value of Federalism?

C. Federalism and Fundamental Constitutional Rights

Chapter 3

The Limits of Federal Legislative Power: Judicially or Politically Enforceable Federalism?

A. Implementing Enumerated Powers and Default Rules

B. Commerce

C. Taxation

D. Spending

E. Treaty Implementation

F. Power to Regulate in Aid of War-making

G. Foreign Affairs

H. Power to Enforce the Reconstruction Amendments

Chapter 4

Limiting the Scope of State Power over Interstate Commerce

A. The Dormant Commerce Clause

B. The Privileges and Immunities Clause of Article IV

C. Preemption and Consent: Congress Has the Final Word

D. State Taxation of Interstate Commerce

Chapter 5

Separation of Powers

A. The Reasons for Separated Powers

B. Executive Action

C. Legislative Action and the Administrative State

D. Immunities and Privileges

III: INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS: LIMITS ON THE USE OF GOVERNMENT POWER

Chapter 6

Due Process

A. Procedural Due Process

B. Substantive Due Process

Chapter 7

Economic Rights: The Takings and Contracts Clauses

A. The Takings Clause

B. The Contracts Clause

Chapter 8

Equal Protection

A. Overview: Levels of Judicial Scrutiny, Classifications and objects, etc.

B. Minimal Scrutiny: The Default Level of Review

C. Strict Scrutiny and Suspect Classifications: Race and Ethnicity

D. Strict Scrutiny and Suspect Classifications: Lawfully Resident Aliens

E. Intermediate Scrutiny: Sex and Illegitimate Birth

F. Fundamental Rights: Strict Scrutiny Redux

Chapter 9

Free Expression of Ideas

A. Overview of Free Expression

B. Content-based Regulation of Speech

C. Content-neutral Regulation of Speech

D. Regulation of Speech when the Government Is Both Sovereign and Proprietor

E. Vagueness, Overbreadth, and Prior Restraints

F. Expression Rights Implicit in the Free Speech Guarantee

G. Free Expression and the Political Process

H. Freedom of the Press

Chapter 10

The Religion Clauses

A. Summary of the History and Theory of the Religion Clauses

B. The Free Exercise Clause

C. The Establishment Clause

Chapter 11

State Action and the Power to Enforce Constitutional Rights

A. State Action

B. Congressional Power to Enforce Constitutional Rights