Posts for August 6, 2017

These are the posts that are accumulated in our weekly newsletter which goes out throughout the school year. The posts are organized by the major units in our Constitutional Law (5^th ed.) student textbook.

I. Introduction to Law, the Constitution, and the Supreme Court [See TOPICS 1-10 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

II. Defining the Political System: Federalism and Checks and Balances [See TOPICS 11-15 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Leaving Lochner Behind [Library of Law and Liberty, 8/7/17]: What prompts a man to change his mind on a serious matter after 35 years, and should the reversal be met with pride (for eventually getting it right), or chagrin (for taking so long)? For reasons of vanity, I’m going to take a positive tack and choose the former.

http://www.libertylawsite.org/2017/08/07/leaving-lochner-behind/

The American Presidency [TOPIC 15]

How Trump could reshape the American Dream [SJ Merc, 8/7/17]: In the space of 24 hours this week, two bombshells emerged from Washington: President Donald Trump endorsed a proposal to dramatically cut back legal immigration and reports suggested the administration was preparing to take a tough new look at affirmative action policies that give preference to minority students. 

http://www.mercurynews.com/2017/08/06/donald-trump-immigration-affirmative-action-raise-act

III. The Political System: Voting and Campaigns [See TOPICS 16-20 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Legislation and the Legislative Process (TOPIC 20)

IV. Criminal Law and Procedure (4^th, 5^th, 6^th, and 8^th amendments) [See TOPICS 21-28 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit

Jailhouse Attorneys Fill Vital Need for Inmates Access to the Courts [Newseum, 8/5/17]: irst Amendment scholar David L. Hudson, Jr. discusses the tradition of inmates helping other inmates with their legal filings–a right they had to fight for in court. 

http://www.newseuminstitute.org/2017/08/05/jailhouse-attorneys-fill-vital-need-for-inmate-access-to-the-courts/

V. 1^st Amendment (Speech, Religion, Press and Assembly) [See TOPICS 29-33 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

No Free Speech for You [David L. Hudson on Slate, 8/5/17]: Anthony Kennedy has the chance to undo his worst anti-First Amendment decision; He should take it.

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/jurisprudence/2017/08/anthony_kennedy_has_the_chance_to_undo_his_worst_first_amendment_decision.html

A Conversation About our Fundamental Rights with the First Amendment Center’s David Hudson [Newseum, 8/5/17]: The First Amendment scholar shares his expertise on the issues–and clears up a few misconceptions. 

http://www.newseuminstitute.org/2017/08/05/a-conversation-about-our-fundamental-rights-with-first-amendment-centers-david-hudson/

Unusual Defamation Suit Targets Source of Story [Newseum,8/6/17]: The plaintiff, upset by an unfavorable news story, chose to sue not the reporter or newspaper, but a source the reporter talked to when writing the story. 

http://www.newseuminstitute.org/2017/08/05/unusual-defamation-suit-targets-source-of-story-2/

VI. 14^th Amendment, Discrimination, Privacy, Working, Citizenship & Immigration [See TOPICS 34-41 in the 5^th edition of Constitutional Law] Here are some recent articles that are relevant to this unit:

Harvard fight could redirect 40 years of affirmative action [CNN, 8/6/17]: The Justice Department this week signaled it would pursue Asian-American students' complaints of bias in admissions at Harvard University, a move that could ultimately alter the future of affirmative action nationwide.

http://www.cnn.com/2017/08/05/politics/affirmative-action-harvard-justice-department/index.html