Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/chemerinsky-individual-rights

Introduction

### Course Review: Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties **Overview:** The course "Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties," offered on Coursera, is a comprehensive exploration of the U.S. Constitution with a keen focus on the protections it grants to individual rights and the evolving concept of equal protection. Taught by renowned constitutional law scholar Erwin Chemerinsky, the course takes students on a historical journey, examining landmark Supreme Court cases that have shaped the interpretation of the Constitution, while also considering the effects of changing cultural and political climates. ** who should take this course:** This course is ideal for law students, educators, and anyone with a keen interest in constitutional law, civil rights, and government policies. It serves as a valuable resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of the legal principles that govern individual liberties in the United States. **Syllabus Breakdown:** - **Welcome - Let's Get Started:** The course begins by welcoming participants and setting the stage for the in-depth exploration of constitutional law. This introductory segment effectively outlines the objectives of the course, ensuring that students understand what they can expect to learn. - **Lecture 6: The Structure of the Constitution's Protection of Individual Liberties:** This module delves into the mechanisms that protect individual rights, including the state action doctrine and the application of the Bill of Rights to the states. The discussion of different levels of scrutiny is particularly informative and critical for understanding how the courts evaluate laws affecting individual liberties. - **Lecture 7: Individual Liberties:** This section tackles the explicitly enumerated and implied rights found within the Constitution. It offers a historical perspective on how interpretations of these rights have transformed over time, particularly as societal values and norms have shifted. - **Lecture 8: Equal Protection:** The focus here shifts to the application of equal protection as it relates to various classifications such as race and gender. This module is essential for anyone interested in understanding how the courts navigate complex issues surrounding discrimination and governmental authority. - **Lecture 9: The First Amendment: Expression:** This lecture thoughtfully addresses the critical question of why freedom of speech is deemed fundamental. It also guides students through the guiding principles of First Amendment interpretation, including the nuances involved in the regulation of different types of speech. - **Lecture 10: The First Amendment: Religion:** In this closing module, the course examines the Establishment Clause through the lens of the Lemon Test, alongside the Free Exercise Clause. This is a rich discussion that highlights the balance between religious freedom and government policies. - **Conclusion:** The course wraps up with a brief closing segment, thanking participants for their engagement and encouraging further exploration of the topics covered. **Recommendation:** I highly recommend "Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties" for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of individual rights within the framework of the U.S. Constitution. Erwin Chemerinsky's expert insights and engaging teaching style bring both clarity and depth to complex legal issues. The course is structured in a way that encourages critical thinking and fosters a sense of appreciation for the dynamic nature of constitutional law. Whether you are studying law, teaching it, or simply passionate about civil liberties, this course will enrich your knowledge and perspective on the fundamental rights that shape American society. Enroll today, and embark on a thought-provoking journey through the illumination of the rights and liberties that define our democracy!

Syllabus

Welcome - Let's Get Started

How are individual rights protected? In this module we’ll take a look at three of the structures that protect our individual liberties: the state action doctrine, the application of the bill of rights to the states, and the levels of scrutiny principle.

What rights are enumerated in the Constitution? How has the court's understanding and protection of these rights evolved? In this lecture we'll become familiar with the rights that are both specifically enumerated and implied by the text of the Constitution.

In this module we’ll examine how equal protection has been applied to different suspect classifications such as race, gender, citizenship, and more. In addition, we will consider how the court has used levels of scrutiny in order to determine when the government can permissibly discriminate based upon suspect classifications.

Why is freedom of speech protected as a fundamental right? What is its importance? In this module we’ll review four possible answers to this question. We’ll also examine the basic principles that guide the Supreme Court’s methodology when examining questions of free speech. Finally, we’ll take a look at the types of speech that have not been traditionally protected and the limitations that can be imposed on where protected forms of speech can be exercised.

In our final lecture module, we’ll briefly examine the Lemon Test, named after the Lemon v. Kurtzman case in which it was first articulated, to see how the court has evaluated cases regarding the Establishment Clause. We’ll also take a look at how the court decides questions regarding the Free Exercise Clause.

As the course draws to a final close, we would like to thank you for your participation.