Description
LEGL 310. THE FOUNDERS? CONSTITUTION. The course examines a variety of Constitutional interpretive methods, such as originalism and progressivism, and their historical role in shaping legal thought and judicial review. The course explores the British idea of rights (the Magna Carta, Petition of Right, Habeas Corpus Act, English Bill of Rights, English Common Law, etc.) and how the American Revolution marked a departure from that tradition, including the notions of natural law and separation of powers. Students learn the influences of Aristotle, Polybius, Cicero, Hobbes, Locke, Burlamaqui, and others on the founders. The connections between significant documents such as the Articles of Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, the United State Constitution, and the Bill of Rights will also be explored. Emphasis is placed on a large number of original sources such as the Federalist Papers, the Anti-Federalists paper