Constitutional Law: Structure

Law 508
Spring 2024

Notes:

  • Unless otherwise indicated, cases are in the Epstein, McGuire, & Walker casebook (listed below as EMW).

  • If you are interested in reading cases mentioned but not excerpted in the book, check out the Constitutional Law for a Changing America Resource Center. For supplemental readings on any of the cases or topics we cover, please email me at lepstein@law.usc.edu.

  • The dates in parentheses following each topic are approximate. We'll try to stick to the schedule but departures may occur. At the end of each class I'll announce the readings for the next session.

  • During class, you should feel free to take notes using a laptop, tablet, paper/pen, etc.—whatever works best for you.

I. Introductory Material

A. The U.S. Constitution and Its Key Features (EMW, pp. 3-11) (1/8)
B. The Supreme Court and Constitutional Interpretation (1/10, 1/17, 1/22)

To prepare for 1/17 and 1/22: Please read EMW, pp. 24-34 and the briefs in District of Columbia v. Heller. The brief for the petitioner (the District of Columbia) is here. Familiarize yourself with the background/facts (pp. 3-8), then focus on Part I of the government’s argument (especially pp. 11-17). The brief for the respondent (Heller) is here. Get a sense of the argument in Part I (which starts on p. 5 ).

[Class does not meet on Monday, 1/15 (MLK Day)]

II. The Distribution of Power Among the Branches of Government

A. The Judiciary

  1. Introduction to Judicial Power (EMW, pp. 57-63) (1/22, 1/24)

  2. Judicial Review (EMW, pp. 63-76)—includes Marbury v. Madison (1803), Martin v. Hunter's Lessee (1816) (1/24, 1/29, 1/31)

  3. Constraints on Judicial Power (2/5, 2/7, 2/12, 2/14)

    a) Jurisdiction (EMW, pp. 83-86)— includes Ex parte McCardle (1869)
    b) Justiciability (EMW, pp. 91-106)— includes Baker v. Carr (1962), Nixon v. United States (1993)
    c) Standing to Sue— Lujan v. Defenders of Wildlife (1992) (the Lujan excerpt is here)

B. The Legislature

1. Membership in Congress (EMW, pp. 121-127)—Powell v. McCormack (1969) (2/14)

2. The Sources and Scope of Congressional Power (2/14, 2/20, 2/21, 2/26)

a) Enumerated Powers
b) Implied Powers (EMW, pp. 138-149)— Includes McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
c) Power to Investigate (EMW, pp. 149-152; pp. 162-166)—includes McGrain v. Daugherty (1927), Trump v. Mazars (2020)

C. The Executive

1. Debates over Executive Power (EMW, pp. 193-198)—includes In re Neagle (1890) (2/26)

2. The Domestic Powers of the President (2/28, 3/4, 3/6, 3/18, 3/20)

a ) Veto Power (EMW, pp. 200-205)—includes Clinton v. City of New York (1998)
b) Appointment and Removal (EMW, pp. 205-220)—includes Morrison v. Olson (1988), Myers v. United States (1926), Humphrey's Executor v. United States (1935). Optional: Seila Law v. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (2020) (Seila Law excerpt is here)
c) Executive Privilege (EMW, pp. 220-225)—includes United States v. Nixon (1974)
d) Presidential Immunity (EMW, pp. 226-238)—includes Mississippi v. Johnson (1867), Clinton v. Jones (1997), Trump v. Vance (2020)

[Class meets on Tuesday, 2/20—not Monday, 2/19 (Presidents Day) ]

D. Interbranch Interactions

1. Competing Approaches (3/20)

2. Domestic Issues (3/25, 3/27)

a) Delegation of Legislative Powers (EMW, pp. 248-256)—includes Gundy v. United States (2019)
b) Congressional Control over the Executive (EMW, pp. 256-261)—includes INS v. Chadha (1983)

2. Foreign Affairs and War (3/27, 4/1) —includes Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952) (EMW, pp. 283-287), Zivotofsky v. Kerry, Secretary of State (2015) (EMW, pp. 291-296)

[Class does not meet on Monday, 3/11 or Wednesday, 3/13 (Spring Break)]

III. Nation-State Relations

A. Federalism

1. Introductory Notes (4/1)

2. McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) redux (EMW, pp. 319-322) (4/3)

B. The Commerce Power

1. Foundations of Commerce Power (EMW, pp. 375-381)—Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) (4/3, 4/8)

2. The Commerce Power before the New Deal Confrontation (EMW, pp. 391-396)—Champion v. Ames (1903), Hammer v. Dagenhart (1918) (4/8)

3. Court-Packing Plan (EMW, pp. 407-411) (4/10)

4. Modern Commerce Clause Doctrine I (EMW, pp. 418-427)—United States v. Darby Lumber (1941), Wickard v. Filburn (1942), Heart of Atlanta Motel v. United States (1964) (4/10, 4/15)

5. Modern Commerce Clause Doctrine II—United States v. Lopez (1995) (EMW, pp. 430-436), Gonzales v. Raich (2005) (EMW, pp. 443-448) (4/15, 4/17)

C. Federalism and the Second Amendment (4/17, 4/22)—District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022) [the excerpts are here]