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Princeton University

Constitutional Interpretation

Princeton University via edX

Overview

Though the Constitution is widely credited for the success of the United States’ republican democracy, people often disagree about how it should be interpreted. What does the Constitution mean? What does it require, and what does it forbid? In this course, we will examine competing theories of, and approaches to, constitutional interpretation.

More specifically, we ask:

  • Should the provisions of the U.S. Constitution be read to give effect to the intent of their framers and ratifiers? If so, what counts as their “intent,” and how is it to be discerned?
  • If “original intent” is not the touchstone of interpretation, how is the constitutional interpreter to avoid simply reading his or her own moral beliefs or political ideology into the Constitution?
  • Who, by the Constitution’s own terms, has the power of judicial review, that is, to authoritatively interpret the Constitution and give effect to its principles and norms?
  • If we accept the principle of judicial review, does that mean that judges always have the final say in disputed questions of what the Constitution means and requires?

Through lectures, Supreme Court cases, readings,quizzes and discussions, this course will give you a better understanding of the most critical questions related to the American Constitution (including the Bill of Rights).

Taught by

Robert P. George

Reviews

4.8 rating, based on 35 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Constitutional Interpretation

  • Steven Stone
    I've taken and completed over 100 MOOC courses. Prof. George Constitutional Interpretation was just about the best I have completed on Ed Ex. The lectures were entertaining, engaging and seemed to go so fast. It was taken from the classes themselves at Princeton. Only course that came close was "Justice" by Professor Sandel at Harvard. I couldn't give this class or Prof. George a higher review.
  • Anonymous
    The course included knowledge checks in between lectures that covered various legal topics, and I found it to be a fair assessment of the knowledge I acquired from the online course. The test consisted of multiple-choice questions that required a so…
  • Anonymous
    The reason I didn't give this course a five star rating is that I came away from it a bit frustrated in that many questions are left unresolved. This really is not the fault of the course, however; it is the fault of our democratic process. As goo…
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    Imran Khan Niazi
    I have completed the course and completed the module quiz but the module quiz grades were not accounted and adjusted in cumulative score/grades I have contacted both help at edx and university email but no response, no resolution from any forum, I completed the course with great care and excitement but no statement of participation was granted and course still shown as not competed I dash board, it is apposite to mention here that staff is Also not responding and there is no solution, badly stuck no response. keep in mind my review before going into this course I worked hard and my 100 percent scores were not graded in accumulative grades.
  • Anonymous
    Without exaggeration, this is the greatest course I have taken in my entire life! I have earned a bachelor's degree in political science, a master's in history, a juris doctorate (law), and a doctorate in history. I've also completed certificate courses at Harvard (higher education teaching), Oxford (executive leadership), and Georgetown (ethical decision-making).

    This course was THE BEST of them all. I learned more about the Constitution in this course than I did in three years of law school!

    Fantastic work by Prof. George! This was a treasure trove of learning!
  • Khilan Anirudh Bhammar
    The course is extensively informative and is very helpful to better understand the roles of multiple people in the legal system along with this is also gives a better and deeper understanding of multiple issues and historical examples used in the current world like Roe v. Wade.
  • Anonymous
    I had a real pleasure listening to this course from Professor R. P. George.
    This is the second course (with Civil Liberties) I followed.
    These two courses should be for every US citizen as they are full of history, explanations about Supreme Courts decisions, Fouding Fathers goals. Moreover, it is mind opening.
    As a foreigner, it allows me to better understand what's happening in the US with SCOTUS decisions and how it works. And I did not have any trouble following it in english.
    I really hope there will be a third course from the same Professor on EDX one of these days.
  • Anonymous
    I loved the course because was with cases real examples. Thank you to George Professor because the classes and his voice take my attention always. The explanations and readings study materials, the Discussions participations and the Quizzes stile permit to understand without pressure.
    Thank you to Princeton for not archiving the course.
  • Luz Nelly Sastoque Castillo
    I loved the course because was with cases real examples. Thank you to George Professor because the classes and his voice take my attention always. The explanations and readings study materials, the Discussions participations and the Quizzes stile permit to understand without pressure.
    Thank you to Princeton for not archiving the course.
  • Anonymous
    This course is very educative, it made me understand the constitutional interpretation of not just the United States but also my home country Nigeria . Especially the issue that came up during our presidential election on the interpretation of a particular section. Thank you Prof and Princeton University.
  • Anonymous
    This is a priceless course, like our Constitution, that should be a required study limited to citizens and non-citizens who might realize our freedoms. Professor George is a treasure. Thank you!
  • Anonymous
    This course is extremely well done and presented. Prof. George is an outstanding scholar and superb lecturer. Those of his students who go on to law school will have a huge leg up in Con Law and are unlikely to find a teacher there of his caliber. H…
  • Anonymous
    Without exaggeration, this is the greatest course I have taken in my entire life! I have earned a bachelor's degree in political science, a master's in history, a juris doctorate (law), and a doctorate in history. I've also completed certificate courses at Harvard (higher education teaching), Oxford (executive leadership), and Georgetown (ethical decision-making).

    This course was THE BEST of them all. I learned more about the Constitution in this course than I did in three years of law school!

    Fantastic work by Prof. George! This was a treasure trove of learning!
  • Anonymous
    I highly recommend this course. Professor George is an excellent speaker. He uses anecdotes to illustrate his court cases. He does a wonderful job of getting the students to interact with his questions. I thought the class was thorough. I read all t…
  • Anonymous
    This is an awesome course I’d recommend it to anyone snd everyone !! I’ve enjoyed it snd I’ve learned a lot and I’m looking forward to getting the certificate snd bettering myself and my future !!! Best of luck to all who takes this courses in the future !!
  • Anonymous
    This is such a timely course and should be required learning for every citizen who wants to keep our domestic tranquility. Thank you for the opportunity to learn why we should be thinkers and active in public discourse to keep our freedoms.
  • Anonymous
    Dr. Robert George brilliantly elucidates the requirements of principled constitutional interpretation, as distinct from approaches that effectively empower the Supreme Court to impose the justice's preferred political policies from the bench. He introduces a wide range of landmark cases, critically considering whether they were decided rightly or wrongly in the light of principled interpretation, but carefully refrains from imposing his views on students in favor of developing the ability to make principled constitutional interpretations in students. Dr. George provides an excellent model for the kind of civil discourse largely disappearing from our political landscape.
  • Anonymous
    I learned a great deal and enjoyed Constitutional Interpretation taught by Professor George. He has an incredible lecture style, holding your attention with much description and history. He also leads you into thinking about different issues. At times he shares his opinion, but wants you to form your own opinion from the lectures, readings and discussions. If I find another class taught by Professor George I will certainly sign up.
    I thank the organizations which allowed me to take this class on-line, during the pandemic of Covid 19. I have always had an interest in the Constitution and now I have some knowledge.
  • Marilyn
    Prof. George is **extremely** engaging and explains things in a way that a non-law student can easily understand.

    Unfortunately, as with so many courses, the material doesn't continue to the present day; in this case it takes us through 2018. Also, as is now the general norm, there doesn't seem to be any staff in the forums. I can't dock my five star rating for either of these as most courses along the various platforms are now running in this manner.
  • Anonymous
    Thanks so much for offering this course to such a wide audience. The history and analysis provided has enriched my understanding of the constitution and has made me better equipped to read both news and editorial analysis of current controversies. Professor George kept my interest throughout each lecture. The readings were well-selected and I appreciated the opportunity to read about each case exhaustively or in an abridged manner. I recommend this course highly.
  • Anonymous
    This is the first college course that I have taken since the early 70's. The course was very thoughtful and informative. It also let me know how much I don't know. I would recommend this for anyone interested in our Constitution and Courts. If you have been away as long as me, might want to start with something more basic and come to this with a better foundation. Thank you Prof. George and Princeton

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