This course, “The Living Constitution,” looks at how the United States government was set up in 1787 and how it still works today. Our focus will be on the first three Articles of the Constitution (The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches) and the Bill of Rights.

The class will be offered live on Thursdays from 4:30 - 5:15 pm Eastern Standard Time (1:30- 2:15 pm Pacific Standard Time) starting on August 15. It will also be available asynchronously, so you can watch the lessons on demand at your own convenience. Semester 2 will be available live and asynchronously starting in mid-January 2025.

Understanding our government by looking at how it was set up in 1787 and how it still gets used every day in America. This course looks way back to make sense of what is happening in America today.

Do you find yourself saying, “The President can’t do that! He has to go through Congress.” Likely, you’re right. And that’s because of the Constitution.From the Preamble to the last Amendment, the United States Constitution is still the law of the land. Come on a journey with us as we delve into what the constitution says, what it means, and how it is the driving force behind what the U.S. Government can do and what they cannot do.The Constitution is not just some document that was written on fancy paper and sits under glass. Every day there are examples of how this document is the lifeblood of our country, from the guarantees of the first amendment that allows people to speak their mind to the first article, which gives Congress the ability to limit the President’s power.

While we will cover the entire Constitution, the majority of our focus will be on the first three Articles of the Constitution (The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches) and the Bill of Rights.

The classes will be broken down as follows:

1-     What do you already know?  Breaking down the Preamble word by word; how those goals still apply today.     

2-    Congress – the people in it and the powers they have

3-    Congress – the census, apportionment and gerrymandering

4-    Congress – how a bill becomes a law

5-    Congress – review and learning check

6-    Executive Branch – the various roles of the President and impeachment

7-    Executive Branch – the President’s cabinet

8-    Executive Branch – the Executive Agencies

9-    Executive Branch – review and quiz

10-    Judicial Branch – the people in it

11-    Judicial Branch – how the courts are set up

12-    Judicial Branch – Judicial Review and Landmark Supreme Court Cases

13-    Judicial Branch – more Supreme Court Cases

14-    Judicial Branch – review and quiz

15-    Articles IV-VII – including the amendment process

16-    The Bill of Rights -the first ten amendments and how they have held up over the years.

17-    Amendments 11-27 - why they were added and how they've evolved (or not) over time.

18-    Amendments – review and quiz

Each week the class meeting will consist of two parts. First, learning the part of the Constitution that is being covered and then exploring current applications.  These will be led by lecture and PowerPoint that presents key information and provides opportunities for discussion.  Between each lesson, students will be required to read the part of The Constitution that is covered that week and then do their own inquiry and research to find current examples. 

There will be guiding activities, which may be an escape room challenge, a scavenger hunt, or an inquiry (document-based) lesson.  

Additionally, evidence of learning will be submitted to the teacher. At the end of each section, as is shown in the weekly breakdown, students will take a quiz to show mastery of the subject.

Please inform the teacher upfront if you will need a final grade for the course.

Note that minimum enrollment to hold class is 3 students.