Constitutional Studies

William M. Curtis, J.D., Ph.D., director

The Constitutional Studies minor is an interdisciplinary liberal arts course of study that seeks to introduce students to U.S. constitutional law and its historical, political, and philosophical roots. It provides students who are considering going to law school with a foundational experience in thinking about, writing about, and discussing the law. It further provides something that all University of Portland students should be interested in: knowledge of the U.S. government’s foundational document that will enable them to become a more effective and engaged democratic citizens.

Learning Outcomes

1. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how the US Constitution creates, empowers, and structures the relationship between the three primary branches of the federal government and/or the relationship between the federal government and the states.
2. Students will be able demonstrate an understanding of how the Supreme Court exercises its power of judicial review to interpret the Constitution in its judicial opinions.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the historical context of the ongoing US constitutional experiment.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the philosophical background and political context of the concepts of the rule of law, and/or legal reasoning and argumentation, and/or individual/human rights.

The Constitutional Studies minor requires 18 credit hours that fall into three categories: (1) American politics and history; (2) law or law-related; and (3) political and moral philosophy/theory.

Minor Requirements - 18 credit hours

Required Course - 3 credit hours

POL 200

Introduction to United States Politics

3

American Politics & History - 6 credit hours

3 credit hours must be in HST

Select from the following:

HST 310	Colonial North America	3
HST 311	The American Revolution	3
HST 313	United States: Civil War Era	3
HST 314	American Expansion	3
HST 316	US in Depression and War, 1920-1945	3
HST 318	Cold War America	3
HST 321	Modern American Women's History	3
HST 322	American Protest and Reform	3
HST 323	African American History	3
HST 325	American Military History	3
HST 352	The United States and the Pacific Rim	3
POL 335	American Public Policy	3
POL 347	The American Court System	3
POL 350	American Foreign Policy	3
POL 351	International Law and Organizations	3
POL 415	Congress and Legislative Process	3
POL 419	The US Presidency	3
POL 465	Democratization	3

Law & Law Related Courses - 6 credit hours

Select from the following:

POL 344	Constitutional Law I: Federalism and Separation of Powers	3
POL 345	Constitutional Law II: Civil Liberties and Rights	3
POL 346	Constitutional Criminal Procedure	3
PHL 412	Philosophy of Law	3
	Or
POL 423	Jurisprudence and Constitutional Interpretation	3

Political and Moral Philosophy & Theory - 3 credit hours

Select from the following:

PHL 313	Socio-Political Philosophy	3
PHL 321	Logic	3
PHL 371	Ancient Philosophy	3
PHL 372	Medieval Philosophy	3
PHL 373	Early Modern Philosophy	3
PHL 374	Hegel and 19th Century Philosophy	3
PHL 412	Philosophy of Law	3
POL 314	American Political Thought	3
POL 423	Jurisprudence and Constitutional Interpretation	3