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Constitutional Law for a Changing America
A Short Course
Eighth Edition
- Lee Epstein - Washington University in St. Louis, USA
- Kevin T. McGuire - The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
- Thomas G. Walker - Emory University, USA
Other Titles in:
Law & Courts
Law & Courts
September 2020 | 816 pages | CQ Press
“Excellent balance of case excerpts and author explanation, highly appropriate for undergraduate students.”
—Dr. Wendy Brame, Briar Cliff University
Political factors influence judicial decisions. Arguments and input from lawyers and interest groups, the ebb and flow of public opinion, and especially the ideological and behavioral inclinations of the justices all combine to shape the development of constitutional doctrine. Drawing on political science as much as from legal studies, Constitutional Law for a Changing America: A Short Course helps students realize that Supreme Court cases are more than just legal names and citations. With meticulous revising, the authors streamline material while accounting for recent landmark cases and new scholarship.
Ideal for a one semester course, the Eighth Edition of A Short Course offers all the hallmarks of the Rights and Powers volumes in a more condensed format. Students and instructors benefit from the online Con Law Resource Center which houses the supplemental case archive, links to CQ Press reference materials, a moot court simulation, instructor resources, and more.
Attention Instructors! Use the following bundle ISBN to ensure your students have FREE access to the regularly updated resource center featuring over 100 excerpted cases.
Get FREE access to online resources—use bundle ISBN: 978-1-0718-3225-7
Included with this title:
The password-protected Instructor Resource Site (formally known as SAGE Edge) offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. Learn more.
—Dr. Wendy Brame, Briar Cliff University
Political factors influence judicial decisions. Arguments and input from lawyers and interest groups, the ebb and flow of public opinion, and especially the ideological and behavioral inclinations of the justices all combine to shape the development of constitutional doctrine. Drawing on political science as much as from legal studies, Constitutional Law for a Changing America: A Short Course helps students realize that Supreme Court cases are more than just legal names and citations. With meticulous revising, the authors streamline material while accounting for recent landmark cases and new scholarship.
Ideal for a one semester course, the Eighth Edition of A Short Course offers all the hallmarks of the Rights and Powers volumes in a more condensed format. Students and instructors benefit from the online Con Law Resource Center which houses the supplemental case archive, links to CQ Press reference materials, a moot court simulation, instructor resources, and more.
Attention Instructors! Use the following bundle ISBN to ensure your students have FREE access to the regularly updated resource center featuring over 100 excerpted cases.
Get FREE access to online resources—use bundle ISBN: 978-1-0718-3225-7
Included with this title:
The password-protected Instructor Resource Site (formally known as SAGE Edge) offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides. Learn more.
Chronological Table of Cases
Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Preface
Acknowledgments
PART 1. THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
An Introduction to the U.S. Constitution
CHAPTER 1. The Living Constitution
CHAPTER 2. Understanding the U.S. Supreme Court
PART 2. INSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Structuring the Federal System
CHAPTER 3. The Judiciary
CHAPTER 4. The Legislature
CHAPTER 5. The Executive
PART 3. NATION-STATE RELATIONS
Allocating Government Power
CHAPTER 6. Federalism
CHAPTER 7. The Commerce Power
CHAPTER 8. The Power to Tax and Spend
PART 4. ECONOMIC LIBERTIES
Economic Liberties and Individual Rights
CHAPTER 9. The Contract Clause
CHAPTER 10. Economic Substantive Due Process
CHAPTER 11. The Takings Clause
PART 5. CIVIL LIBERTIES
Approaching Civil Liberties
CHAPTER 12. Religion: Exercise and Establishment
CHAPTER 13. Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Association
CHAPTER 14. Freedom of the Press
CHAPTER 15. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
CHAPTER 16. The Right to Privacy
PART 6. THE RIGHTS OF THE CRIMINALLY ACCUSED
The Criminal Justice System and Constitutional Rights
CHAPTER 17. Investigations and Evidence
CHAPTER 18. Attorneys, Trials, and Punishments
PART 7. CIVIL RIGHTS
Civil Rights and the Constitution
CHAPTER 19. Discrimination
CHAPTER 20. Voting and Representation
Reference Material
Case Index
Subject Index
About the Authors
Supplements
Instructor Resource Center
edge.sagepub.com/conlaw
Take your constitutional law class beyond the book with the regularly updated SAGE Edge Con Law Resource Center, featuring more than 100 excerpted, supplemental cases referenced in the commentary of the Constitutional Law for a Changing America volumes. The authors have excerpted each case in the same format as those in the text, featuring the justices’ votes, a summary of case facts, and a carefully edited version of the justices’ opinions.
Online resources included with this text
The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.
edge.sagepub.com/conlaw
Take your constitutional law class beyond the book with the regularly updated SAGE Edge Con Law Resource Center, featuring more than 100 excerpted, supplemental cases referenced in the commentary of the Constitutional Law for a Changing America volumes. The authors have excerpted each case in the same format as those in the text, featuring the justices’ votes, a summary of case facts, and a carefully edited version of the justices’ opinions.
Online resources included with this text
The online resources for your text are available via the password-protected Instructor Resource Site, which offers access to all text-specific resources, including a test bank and editable, chapter-specific PowerPoint® slides.
Student Resource Center
edge.sagepub.com/conlaw
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
edge.sagepub.com/conlaw
The open-access Student Study Site makes it easy for students to maximize their study time, anywhere, anytime. It offers flashcards that strengthen understanding of key terms and concepts, as well as learning objectives that reinforce the most important material.
For additional information, custom options, or to request a personalized walkthrough of these resources, please contact your sales representative.
“Excellent balance of case excerpts and author explanation, highly appropriate for undergraduate students.”
Briar Cliff University
“This textbook achieves the difficult task of being both accessible and thorough.”
Hagerstown Community College
This textbook was used by my predecessor so naturally I was inclined to adopt it. After reading the description of the course and reviewing this eighth edition, I find that this textbook is more than adequate for this class and I look forward to teaching my students from it.
Social Behavioral Science Div, Elmira College
January 1, 2022
Going back to this text as it is accessible and has a positive track record.
Political Science, North Hennepin Cmty College
August 4, 2021
Its a good text for undergrads
Political Science, New Jersey City University
January 25, 2021