About this Course

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An introduction to the main themes of the American Constitution—popular sovereignty, separation of powers, federalism, and rights.

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Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

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Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Could your company benefit from training employees on in-demand skills?

Try Coursera for Business

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.59/5 (56 Ratings)

Akhil Reed Amar

Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science

Yale Law School

41,450 Learners

2 Courses

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(3,242 ratings)

Week

1

Week 1

2 hours to complete

Welcome!

This first module will help you get your bearings before diving into America's Written Constitution. You can watch a brief introduction to the course, learn about quizzes and writing assignments, and find out what you can look forward to learning. This section also provides you with a copy of The Document itself. There is no need to read through it right away, Our hope is that you will follow along as Prof. Amar works his ways through it over the course of the next 14 modules. Good luck, and we hope you enjoy the experience!

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 26 min), 7 readings

1 hour to complete

In the Beginning

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

1 hour to complete

New Rules for a New World

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

Week

2

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Congressional Powers

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

1 hour to complete

America's First Officer

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 48 min)

Week

3

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Presidential Powers

As the title of this module suggests, you will be hearing about the specific powers held by the President of the United States. Learn how the presidential pardon is directly related to national security and why the veto power is nearly insurmountable. Prof. Amar will also point out how in a small number of situations, the President of the United States is even more powerful than the King of England.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 47 min)

2 hours to complete

Judges and Juries

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 53 min)

Week

4

Week 4

1 hour to complete

States and Territories

Article 4 of the Constitution outlines the interrelationship between States and territories. In order for this emerging country to succeed, the framers knew states would need to start thinking of themselves as parts of the same whole. To achieve this, rules needed to be set in place for interstate trade and travel. Prof. Amar will introduce the concept of Horizontal Federalism, looking specifically at how the Constitution accounts for the differences between state laws on slavery and voting rights. Finally you'll learn about the Taney-led Supreme Court, whose rulings on racial laws would help set America down the path to civil war.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 50 min)

1 hour to complete

The Law of the Land

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 44 min)

Week

5

Week 5

1 hour to complete

Making Amends

Anti-Federalists, rejoice! This module's lectures go over the first ten amendments to America's constitution, also known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments contain some of the most iconic language contained in The Document. Freedom of Speech, the right to keep and bare arms, the right to a fair trial, all this can be found in the Bill of Rights. Prof. Amar will go over where the framers borrowed the ideas for these amendments, and also who championed and opposed their adoption.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 50 min)

2 hours to complete

New Birth of Freedom

This module, as we move forward both in text and in time. After the first 12 amendments to the constitution, 50 quiescent years pass before three new amendments are ratified in rapid succession. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution brought radical change to America by abolishing slavery, redefining citizenship, and expanding voting rights. What event could possibly spur such significant legislative action? Get ready as Professor Amar guides us through a wholly singular look at America's Civil War.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 57 min)

Week

6

Week 6

1 hour to complete

Progressive Reforms

You may have noticed by now that amendments to the U.S. Constitution come in waves. In module 13 Professor Amar will go over the third wave to break. Amendments 16-19 made America's version of democracy more direct and more universal than ever before. The addition of women to the voting pool forever altered America's political course. Eventually leading to the passage of socially conscious policies such as the New Deal, the Great Society, and Obamacare.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 51 min)

1 hour to complete

Modern Moves

The surging Civil Right's Movement of the 1960's along with wars both cold and hot, made the political environment in the U.S. ripe for change. Prof. Amar explains out how amendments 23-26 continued making the United States' brand of democracy more universal and more egalitarian. After briefly covering the 27th Amendment, a question is posed to you, the learner: What do you think the next amendment to the Constitution should be?

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 54 min)

4 hours to complete

Bonus Content Archive

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 253 min)

1 hour to complete

Conclusion

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 31 min), 1 reading

Reviews

4.8

119 reviews

5 stars
85.68%
4 stars
9.30%
3 stars
2.14%
2 stars
1.43%
1 star
1.43%

TOP REVIEWS FROM AMERICA'S WRITTEN CONSTITUTION

by DBMay 11, 2017

Absolutely great professor, marvelous methods of study and providing by Coursera is too sufficient. Thanks Coursera for such a sacred academician.

by KPMay 7, 2020

I really enjoyed the professor's enthusiasm and learned a lot about the context in which the Constitution was written as well as the overarching themes.

by JBNov 13, 2015

This course was a great introduction to the United States Constitution. The material was given sufficient lecture time to allow you to grasp the information and it was not rushed through.

by MMAug 13, 2017

Very interesting course. I learnt a lot. Also about the American history. Very nice that this course is given by Professor Amar. He speaks with a lot of passion for this subject.

View all reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
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The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

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America's Written Constitution

America's Written Constitution

About this Course