FEDERALIST INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION (2) (CON 500)

Professors John Baker and Nadine Strossen

The focus of this seminar will be on the relationship of The Federalist Papers and the Constitution. Students will be required to read the entire Federalist, although only selected essays will actually be covered in the class. The essays will primarily be those, such as numbers 1, 9, 10, 23, 39, 45, 47-51, 63, 68-71, 76, 78-85, which explain the basic structure of separation of powers, federalism, and republicanism. The discussion will also connect particular essays with foundational Supreme Court cases, such as Marbury, Gibbons, Martin v. Hunter’s Lessee, McCulloch, which students read in their basic course on Constitutional Law. Students, however, need not have already had the basic course in Constitutional law. This course is taught in partnership with the Fund for American Studies. Students have the option of taking this course via distance learning at NYLS or attend classes at its originating site in Washington, DC.