The Creation of the American Constitution

general courses

Classroom

This course will examine the historical background that led to the establishing the United States Constitution of 1787 and to the period immediately following that shaped the various institutions established by the Constitution. Students will come to understand the political crisis faced by the Government of the US under the Articles of Confederation and how the majority of political leaders around the country came to the conclusion that a new constitution was needed. Students will closely examine the Philadelphia Convention and the ratification debates that followed in the States. The course will then focus on the 20-year period following the creation of the new government, seeing how the new Constitution was put into practice

This course will examine the historical background that led to the establishing the United States Constitution of 1787 and to the period immediately following that shaped the various institutions established by the Constitution. Students will come to understand the political crisis faced by the Government of the US under the Articles of Confederation and how the majority of political leaders around the country came to the conclusion that a new constitution was needed. Students will closely examine the Philadelphia Convention and the ratification debates that followed in the States. The course will then focus on the 20-year period following the creation of the new government, seeing how the new Constitution was put into practice

Elliot, Jonathan. The Debates of the Several State Conventions on the Adoption of the Federal Constitution: As Recommended by the General Convention at Philadelphia in 1787 5 Volumes

Farrand, Max, ed. The records of the federal convention of 1787. 4 Vols Yale University Press, 1911.

Bailyn, Bernard, ed. The Debate on the Constitution 2 Vols (Library of America# 62 and 63). Library of America, 1993.

The student will gain knowledge of the historical background by which the American Federal Union was created.

The student will learn how political compromise can be achieved and how such compromise can and cannot be publicly defended in a democratic society with strong factional interests.

Students will come to understand the different tools of rhetoric and their impact on political process and the formation of political institution. And see possibilities for contemporary crossovers

Students will learn how to formulate and execute critical arguments in English.

Take Home Assignments. (three at 33% each). Each assignment the student will be asked to address a particular aspect of a) The Philadelphia Convention, b) one state ratifying debate, and c) the public debate over the whole process. Each take home test will be in the form of an essay answering the specific question assigned for each assignment. Due dates for each assignment will be set during the semester. The test/essay must be typed (or word-processed) in a standard format, double spaced and between 8-10 pages (excluding bibliography/reference page).

Students will be assessed on their ability to effectively defend their understanding of the answer to the given question. Emphasis on effective use of evidence and strength of reasoning as well as historical/factual accuracy.