This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

 

Discussion Notes

SES # TOPICS
1 Introduction (PDF)
2 The Supreme Court in the 21st century (PDF)
3 The separation of powers and judicial review (the early Supreme Court) (PDF)
4 Federalism (PDF)
5 The wartime Constitution (I) – the post-9/11 era (PDF)
6 The wartime Constitution (II) – World War II and Korean War precedents (PDF)
7 The wartime Constitution (III) – freedom of speech and belief (PDF)
8 The wartime Constitution (IV) – the First Amendment (cont.) (PDF)
9 Religion – the free exercise and establishment clauses (PDF)
10 Economic liberties and substantive due process (PDF)
11 Desegregation (PDF)
12 Freedom of association (PDF)
13 Affirmative action (PDF)
14 Gender discrimination (PDF)
15 Criminal procedure (PDF)
16 The conflict between civil liberties and civil rights (PDF) (Courtesy of Harvey Silverglate. Used with permission.)
17 From the "war on crime" to the "war on terror" (PDF)
18 Fundamental rights (I) (PDF)
19 Fundamental rights (II) (PDF)
20 The Eighth Amendment (PDF)
21 Immigration and citizenship (PDF)
22 Welfare and poverty (PDF)
23 Sexual orientation (PDF)
24 Marriage (PDF)
25 Political participation