PSCI 17
State Constitutions, State Courts, and Individual Rights Winter 2020

Cross-listed JLST 17
This is not the current course catalog

Class Details

Most people are familiar with the idea that the federal constitution, as interpreted by the U.S. Supreme Court, can serve as an important (albeit controversial) tool for vindicating individual rights. Cases involving rights to same-sex marriage, abortion, and gun ownership are just a few recent examples of the U.S. Supreme Court and the federal constitution taking center stage in battles over individual rights. But there is another, equally important, source of individual rights that is sometimes overlooked and understudied: state constitutions. Each state has its own constitution, which may contain different rights and protections from those in the federal constitution, and its own courts, which interpret that constitution. In this class, we’ll take a look at the role of state constitutions and courts in protecting individual rights and influencing federal constitutional interpretation. From assessing the constitutionality of compelled sterilization to protecting citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures, we’ll examine the interplay between state and federal courts and constitutions. To do this, we’ll read the book 51 Imperfect Solutions: States and the Making of American Constitutional Law by Judge Jeffrey S. Sutton (class of 1983). As a final project, students will choose a legal issue, evaluate its chances of success under the federal constitution and their home state constitution (or state constitution of their choosing), develop a basic litigation strategy aimed at achieving their objectives, and present that evaluation and strategy to the class. Adjunct Instructor Bio: Erin Lagesen (class of 1991) is a judge on the Oregon Court of Appeals. At Williams, she double majored in Mathematics and English. Adjunct Instructor Bio: Susan Yorke (class of 2006) is an appellate attorney in San Francisco, and she also graduated from Williams with a double major in Mathematics and English.
The Class: Format: lecture
Limit: 12
Grading: pass/fail only
Requirements/Evaluation: short paper and final project or presentation
Prerequisites: none
Enrollment Preferences: preference will be given to juniors and seniors
Materials/Lab Fee: approximately $30 for books
Notes: This course is cross-listed and the prefixes carry the following divisional credit:
PSCI 17 JLST 17

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