Constitutional Law for Enlightened Citizens 2nd Edition Textbook

This updated edition by Michael Farris helps students understand the foundational principles of government established in the Constitution and Bill of Rights, and how court decisions affect the way laws are interpreted. Students will grapple with constitutional interpretation and the social and legal implications, primarily focusing on Supreme Court cases. The text asserts government’s most important role as protecting innocent human life, religious freedom, and free speech. The text starts with the Constitution and its history, a law’s constitutionality, how cases arrive at the High Court, and case interpretation. Then, it highlights particular powers (such as presidential, congressional) and how court cases affected them. Over half the text focuses on cases affecting religious freedoms (areas of establishment, free exercise, individual, parental rights, and more). Students will write a 5-step summary of each court decision (some are challenging reading). A Student Quiz/Answer book (available from the publisher as a PDF )provides chapter multiple-choice questions with answers (but not for summaries). Text includes an abbreviation list, glossary, the full text of the Constitution and amendments, as well as condensed court case decisions. Prerequisite: basic understanding of US govt. and the Constitution. Use the text and the Student Quizzes for 1/2 credit of government, or combine with the author’s Constitutional Literacy DVD/workbook (#CONLIT) for a full 1 credit. 7 3/4"x 9 ¼”, 595 pgs, hc. ~ Ruth.