The following three items are the required materials for this class. (1) The basic textbook - Gregory E. Maggs & Peter J. Smith, Constitutional Law: A Contemporary Approach (West, 4th ed. 2020) (hereinafter "Text"). It is important to note that the purchase of a second-hand copy of the text will not enable you to access the online materials available on West's Interactive Casebook website. (2) The 2021 Supplement, available for free on West's Interactive Casebook website. (3) Philip Bobbitt, Constitutional Fate: Theory of the Constitution (Oxford University Press, 1984) (hereinafter "Bobbitt").  These required reading materials are available for purchase at the bookstore. Additional materials available on the Internet are hyperlinked in the Syllabus.   

You will be held responsible for the information assigned, whether or not specifically discussed in class.

The ABA mandates class attendance, and the Washington State Bar application requires that a bar candidate disclose any class withdrawal due to non-attendance. Given those demands and the importance of participation in class discussion, you are expected to attend every class session. You are entitled to seven total absences; in each case, you are required to provide an explanation by email in advance. An eighth absence will result in administrative intervention and the possibiity of an automatic withdrawal from the course. .

CLASS PARTICIPATION

Class participation does not constitute a fixed percentage of the final course grade. Rather, a "grade bump" (sometimes a very significant grade bump) will be awarded for class participation that is: (1) voluntary (i.e., a student raises his or her hand and is called upon), (2) frequent (i.e., de minimus participation will not result in any bump); and (3) clearly noteworthy or meritorious (i.e., the comment contributes substantially to the understanding of the class and materially advances the course of analysis).

There will be an in-class examination at the end of the semester.

SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have, or think you may have, a disability (including an "invisible disability" such as a learning disability, a chronic health problem, or a mental health condition) that interferes with your performance as a student in this class, you are encouraged to arrange support services and/or accommodations by contacting Donna Deming, Associate Dean for Student Affairs (Office 210H, dcdeming@seattleu.edu). Disability-based adjustments to course expectations can be arranged only through this process.

NOTICE ON RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS

It is the policy of Seattle University to reasonably accommodate students who, due to the observance of religious holidays, expect to be absent or endure a significant hardship during certain days of their academic course or program. Please see Policy on Religious Accommodations for Students in www.seattleu.edu/media/policies.