Discussion – 2 units. An inquiry into the way the various constitutions of the fifty States are structured and interpreted. Topics to be covered include: the history of state constitutionalism; state constitutional structural division of powers, both horizontally and intra-state; state enumeration of individual and group rights' judicial review by state courts; state constitutional regulation of voting, election districting and direct democracy; home rule, charter cities and preemption; state taxation and finance (including of public schools); and the relationship between state constitutions and the U.S Constitution. Examples and cases will come from California under its constitution, but also from state constitutions throughout the nation.
Law 205 Constitutional Law I is required. Law 218 Constitutional Law II (in any form) may be helpful but is not required.
Final Assessment: Exam
Grading Mode: Letter Grading