America's Written Constitution

Yale University

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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Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.68/5 (22 Ratings)

Akhil Reed Amar

Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science

Yale Law School

34,380 Learners

2 Courses

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 20 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: English

Offered by

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating96%(2,561 ratings)

Week

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

2 videos

Welcome!3m

Course Introduction22m

7 readings

Pre-Course Survey10m

Begin Here10m

Meet the Instructor10m

Grading and Logistics10m

Bonus Material10m

In the Beginning

Ready to get started? Good. In this module, you'll take a guided tour of the Preamble and learn how one sentence changed the world.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

2 videos

In the Beginning, Part 122m

In the Beginning, Part 222m

1 hour to complete

New Rules for a New World

In this module you will learn how geography, democracy, wealth, and race affected the structure of our legislative branch. Prof. Amar will explain the underlying factors behind decisions on Senatorial term limits, age qualifications, salaries and much more.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

2 videos

New Rules for a New World, Part 122m

New Rules for a New World, Part 223m

Week

Week 2

1 hour to complete

Congressional Powers

This entire module is devoted to just one section of one article of the U.S. constitution. It is the longest, and arguably, most important section of The Document. Article 1, Section 8, enumerates the powers held by Congress. Join Professor Amar, as he discusses the implications of these powers, including regulation of trade, creation of an army and navy, and the levying of taxes.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 46 min)

2 videos

Congressional Powers, Part 122m

Congressional Powers, Part 223m

1 hour to complete

America's First Officer

In this module you'll find out what about George Washington made him so uniquely qualified for the task of being our nation's first president. Learn how his actions before, during, and after his time in office set precedents which are still followed today.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 48 min)

2 videos

America's First Officer, Part 123m

America's First Officer, Part 224m

1 practice exercise

Mastery Quiz 130m

Week

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 videos

Presidential Powers, Part 121m

Presidential Powers, Part 225m

2 hours to complete

Judges and Juries

The judicial branch of the U.S. today only vaguely resembles what framers had in mind. In this section you'll learn you about the decisions the men behind the judicial branch's expansion in power and in scale.

2 hours to complete

2 videos (Total 53 min)

2 videos

Judges and Juries, Part 123m

Judges and Juries, Part 230m

Week

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)

2 videos

States and Territories, Part 124m

States and Territories, Part 225m

1 hour to complete

The Law of the Land

What's the difference between a treaty and a statute? Which takes precedent? In this module Prof. Amar takes you through article 7 of the Constitution. Along the way you'll learn the difference between laws, treaties, resolutions, and statutes. Learn how each one comes into being and how the inherent democracy of each determines their place in the hierarchy.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 44 min)

2 videos

The Law of the Land, Part 120m

The Law of the Land, Part 223m

1 practice exercise

Mastery Quiz 230m

Week

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 videos

Making Amends, Part 121m

Making Amends, Part 227m

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)

2 videos

A New Birth of Freedom, Part 122m

A New Birth of Freedom, Part 233m

Week

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)

2 videos

Progressive Reforms, Part 121m

Progressive Reforms, Part 229m

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)

2 videos

Modern Moves, Part 125m

Modern Moves, Part 228m

1 practice exercise

Mastery Quiz 330m

4 hours to complete

Bonus Content Archive

This content is not tied to the assessment materials in any way, but it is interesting, entertaining and informative nonetheless. We encourage all learners to take some time to watch these videos and post about them in the discussion forums!

4 hours to complete

6 videos (Total 253 min)

6 videos

Conversation with Lucas Swineford20m

Three Justices1h 51m

Mooc Court46m

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Visits Yale57m

Rare Books Department14m

Q&A with Bradley 3m

1 hour to complete

Conclusion

Professor Amar hopes you will continue your journey through the U.S. Constitution by going beneath, beyond, and behind the text in AWC's sister course America's Unwritten Constitution. You'll learn of the traditions, court decisions, popular values, and precedents that compliment the text and complete The Document.

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 31 min), 1 reading

2 videos

Farewell3m

Conclusion27m

1 reading

Post- Course Survey10m

Frequently Asked Questions

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Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
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America's Written Constitution

America's Written Constitution