Foundations of the U.S. Constitution

This unit introduces students to the structure, text, and foundational principles of the U.S. Constitution and situates constitutional law within the broader legal system. It prepares students to trace key distinctions, analyze the formation of the federal government, and assess the scope of national powers in preparation for deeper doctrinal and case-analysis units.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze primary constitutional texts (Articles I–VII, the Supremacy Clause, key clauses such as Commerce and Necessary and Proper, and relevant Amendments) to identify founding principles and structural features.
• Apply comparative distinctions (e.g., federalism vs. state sovereignty, separation of powers, judicial review) to classify constitutional questions and predict likely areas of legal contention.
• Demonstrate the ability to construct a visual or written map that traces how the Constitution created the federal government and allocates powers among branches and between national and state governments.
• Evaluate the historical context and framers’ choices to explain how constitutional design affects the modern reach of national government powers and contemporary public policy issues.