Courses > Law & Legal Careers > Constitutional Law: Bill of Rights

Learn the fundamentals of Constitutional Law, with emphasis on the first ten amendments, (The Bill of Rights). The course will include a history of the Bill of Rights, important cases which have dealt with and interpreted these rights, and the challenges facing the maintenance of the freedoms guaranteed by the constitution in the modern world. Discussions will include the fact that following the events of September 11, 2001, Americans are faced with the prospect of making choices between increased security and the curtailing of certain individual freedoms, such as the right of privacy.

You'll be encouraged to delve into the problems associated with making such choices, and when and where they may really be necessary. This is a course designed to educate students about the important fundamentals of a free society and how such a society can be preserved, even in an uncertain world. It is highly interactive with challenging lessons and assignments. If you're working in the legal field, or as a teacher or journalist, or you're just interested in history and current events, this is the course for you.

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Michael Connelly.

Michael Connelly is a former practicing attorney who specialized in trial law. He has tried and won hundreds of cases in virtually all areas of the law including constitutional, personal injury, juvenile, divorce and child custody, contract disputes, and criminal law. He has tried cases in both state and federal courts, winning several landmark decisions during his years of practice. He's also an expert in the preparation of legal briefs and memorandums. Connelly retired from active practice in 2000 and is now a published author, freelance writer, and teacher.

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Requirements:

Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

Syllabus:

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when the lesson is released, but you must complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

A new section of each course starts on the second or third Wednesday of each month. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

Week One

Wednesday - Lesson 01

In our first lesson, you'll learn about the lengthy and often difficult process that ultimately led to the adoption of the Constitution of the United States. You'll learn why so many Americans in the newly formed nation felt that a Bill of Rights was so important, and how they came to choose the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights. You'll also get an overview of the lessons to come as we explore each of the amendments individually.

Friday - Lesson 02

Today, you'll begin learning about the specifics of the Bill of Rights. We'll start by exploring the very important provisions of the First Amendment that protect freedom of speech and freedom of the press. You'll discover how the courts have interpreted the provisions, and what limitations the courts have placed on these basic freedoms over the years. We'll also discuss the impact that the events of 9/11 had on the amendment, as well as the status of the politically correct speech movement.

Week Two

Wednesday - Lesson 03

Today you'll learn all about the other provisions of the First Amendment that deal with freedom of religion and freedom of assembly. We'll discuss the concept of "separation of church and state"—where it came from and how the courts are interpreting it. You'll learn about some citizens' attempts to amend the Constitution to limit the power of the courts in this area. We'll also discuss the right to free assembly, the implicit right of freedom of association, and how these issues have been affected by terrorism.

Friday - Lesson 04

The debate over gun control rages on, so in this lesson we'll take a close look at both sides' views on the Second Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for our "right to keep and bear arms." What does it really mean and how is it currently being viewed by the courts? You'll also learn about the often-overlooked Third Amendment that deals with the quartering of troops. Is it really just an outdated amendment or does it contain provisions that have implications in the future?

Week Three

Wednesday - Lesson 05

The Fourth Amendment contains the provisions that protect us from unreasonable searches and seizures by governmental authorities. This amendment has been interpreted and reinterpreted by the courts over the years. In today's lesson, you'll learn how it finally came to be applied to the states and what protections it really provides. We'll also take a close look at the Patriot Act and explore why some people believe it threatens our Fourth Amendment rights.

Friday - Lesson 06

The Fifth Amendment contains many provisions you'll find fascinating. It provides for the right against self-incrimination in a criminal trial and contains the all important "due process" clause. We'll discuss the procedures the police must follow in order to obtain an admissible confession, and we'll talk about the status of the Miranda Warning. We'll also look closely at what the due process clause means in today's world.

Week Four

Wednesday - Lesson 07

The Sixth Amendment provides for protections that are given to defendants in criminal cases. We'll discuss the defendant's right to a trial by jury, to a speedy trial, and to confront witnesses. You'll learn how juries are chosen in criminal cases, and how the courts have enforced the right to counsel for those charged with crimes.

Friday - Lesson 08

In this lesson, we'll look at other aspects of courtroom procedure provided by the Seventh Amendment, as well as the protections against excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment that are contained in the Eighth Amendment. You'll enter the debate over the death penalty and learn how it has evolved over the years. You'll also find out how and when this ultimate penalty can be imposed.

Week Five

Wednesday - Lesson 09

The courts often overlooked the provisions of the Ninth and 10th Amendments for many years. In today's lesson, we'll discuss the real importance of the Ninth Amendment when it comes to the unenumerated rights of the people. Then we'll look at the 10th Amendment and review the issue of state's rights, as provided in that amendment. You'll also learn about the evolution of the importance of the commerce clause and how its application has revived the use of the 10th Amendment in court.

Friday - Lesson 10

Not all of our rights are contained in the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. In this lesson, we'll discuss the critical right to vote and its stormy history. You'll learn how the right to vote has been limited over the years and how the Constitution had to be amended in order to secure the right to vote for every American citizen. We'll also delve into the 14th Amendment to the Constitution and see how its passage and interpretation have changed many aspects of constitutional law.

Week Six

Wednesday - Lesson 11

Now that you've examined the Bill of Rights and other important areas of the Constitution, it's time to prepare to do battle in court. In this challenging and fascinating lesson, you'll learn how and when to raise constitutional claims in both criminal and civil cases. We'll look at examples of successful courtroom strategies and discover how to prepare and present a winning case.

Friday - Lesson 12

The course will conclude with a bang. We'll look at the future of our Constitution, particularly the increasing efforts by various groups to change it or bypass it. We'll discuss such controversial issues as the alleged abuse of power by federal judges and prosecutors, zero tolerance policies adopted by schools, and efforts to limit the rights of certain plaintiffs to sue for damages. Finally, you'll get a chance to make your feelings known about these issues, as well as the overall future of our Constitution.

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