Current Issues in Constitutional Law

This seminar will focus on the Supreme Court and current challenges to the stability of U.S. constitutional law. Topics will include 1) an in-depth analysis of several pending Supreme Court cases (possibly including cases on abortion or gun control) and the likely impact of the Court's current composition on key areas of constitutional interpretation; 2) discussion of various proposals for Supreme Court reform; 3) judicial responses to the pandemic's challenges to preexisting understandings of constitutional rights and structures (like limitations on religious gatherings, impacts on vulnerable populations, impact on elections). Particular topics to be covered will be selected in consultation with the students enrolled. Limit: 20 students. Prerequisite: Constitutional Law. Students will either write a paper, which can be used to satisfy the Upper Class Writing Requirement, or take an exam, at their option Limit: 20 students. Prerequisite: Constitutional Law