MVV148K The American Constitution

Faculty of Law
Spring 2014
Extent and Intensity
0/1. 3 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
Robert E. Shapiro (seminar tutor), doc. JUDr. Jiří Valdhans, Ph.D. (deputy)
JUDr. Bc. Markéta Štěpáníková, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
doc. JUDr. Jiří Valdhans, Ph.D.
Department of International and European Law – Faculty of Law
Contact Person: Mgr. Věra Redrupová, B.A.
Supplier department: Department of International and European Law – Faculty of Law
Timetable of Seminar Groups
MVV148K/01: Mon 5. 5. 8:00–9:30 211, Tue 6. 5. 16:40–18:10 030, Wed 7. 5. 18:15–19:45 302, Tue 13. 5. 18:15–19:45 215, Wed 14. 5. 13:30–15:00 208, Thu 15. 5. 8:00–9:30 211
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 30 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/30, only registered: 0/30
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 31 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
This course will investigate the origins, structure and operation of the American Constitution. Students will focus on the following topic areas:
1. What view of nature and the role of government lies at the base of the American Constitution?;
2. How does the American Constitution attempt to implement these principles?;
3. What is its overall structure of the document and how does it work in practice?;
4. What is the origin and role of federalism? Judicial review?
By the conclusion of class, students should be conversant in both the theoretical underpinnings of the American Constitution and the way it operates on a day-to-day basis.
Syllabus
  • 1. Natural Rights Theory
  • Locke, Second Treatise of Civil Government
  • 2. Natural Rights Theory
  • The Declaration of Independence
  • 3. Structuring Government
  • The Constitution of the United States of America
  • 4. Federalism and The Separation of Powers
  • Hamilton, et al., The Federalist Nos. 10, 51
  • Marshall, McCulloch v. Maryland
  • 5. Hamilton, et al.,
  • The Federalist, No. 78
  • Marshall, Marbury v. Maryland
  • 6. Summary Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address
Literature
  • See the Reading list in the Teacher’s Informaiton.
Teaching methods
Although Professor Shapiro will present some of the information by way of lecture, much of each class period will be devoted to classroom discussion in which the students will be expected to share their own ideas regarding the critical questions. As a result, students will be expected to have done the assigned reading in advance of class.
Assessment methods
The Assessment will be based on a short examination with multiple choice and/or short answer questions.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2017.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2014, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/law/spring2014/MVV148K