16 Modules for Constitutional Law II (Rights and Equal Protection)

This year, professors will have to adapt their classes for distance learning. One helpful tip is to break down the doctrine into small, manageable bites. The buzzword is module, which is synonymous with unit or topic. To help professors, I have divided the corpus of constitutional law into separate modules. Each module will link to a set of Powerpoint slides, as well as previews of videos from An Introduction to Constitutional Law. The slides are free. Students can purchase our book ($23.99) to access the full video library. I encourage professors to consider recommending our supplement for this semester. Our book matches up with all of the leading casebooks. If you would like a review copy, please e-mail me: josh-at-joshblackman-dot-com.

The first post in this series focused on Constitutional Law I (Structure and Powers). Today, I will post sixteen modules for Constitutional Law II (Rights and Equal Protection). And on Wednesday, I will share seven modules for an upper-level First Amendment Class (Speech and Religion).

Module 1: Slavery

• Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

• Module 2: The Privilege or Immunities Clause

  • The Slaughter- House Cases (1873)
  • Bradwell v. Illinois (1873)
  • United States v. Cruikshank (1875)

   

  Module 3: The Enforcement Powers of the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Amendments

  • Strauder v. West Virginia (1880)
  • The Civil Rights Cases (1883) 

   

  Module 4: The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment

  • Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886)
  • Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) 

   

  Module 5: “Economic” Liberty in the Progressive Era

  • Lochner v. New York (1905)
  • Muller v. Oregon (1908)
  • Buchanan v. Warley (1917)
  • Adkins v. Children’s Hospital (1923)

Module 6: “Personal” Liberty in the Progressive Era

• Meyer v. Nebraska (1923)
• Pierce v. Society of Sisters (1925)
• Buck v. Bell (1927)

 

Module 7: “Economic” Liberty Through the New Deal

• O’Gorman & Young, Inc. v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company (1931)
• Nebbia v. New York (1934)
• West Coast Hotel v. Parrish (1937)

 

Module 8: “Economic” Liberty After the New Deal

• United States v. Carolene Products (1938)
• Williamson v. Lee Optical (1955)

 

Module 9: Equal Protection Clause on the Warren Court

 

• Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
• Bolling v. Sharpe (1954) 
• Cooper v. Aaron (1958) 
• Loving v. Virginia (1967)

• Module 10: Affirmative Action on the Burger and Rehnquist Courts

  • Regents of the University of California v. Bakke (1978) 
  • Gratz v. Bollinger (2003)
  • Grutter v. Bollinger (2003)

   

  Module 11: Affirmative Action on the Roberts Court

  • Fisher v. University of Texas I (2013)
  • Fisher v. University of Texas II (2016)

   

  Module 12: Sex Discrimination

  • Frontiero v. Richardson (1973)
  • Craig v. Boren (1976)
  • United States v. Virginia (1996)

  • Module 13: “Heightened” Rational Basis Scrutiny 

    • City of Cleburne v. Cleburne Living Center, Inc. (1985)
    • Romer v. Evans (1996)

     

    Module 14: The Right to Privacy on the Warren and Burger Court

    • Griswold v. Connecticut (1965) 
    • Roe v. Wade (1973)

    • Module 15: The Right to Abortion

      • Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992)
      • Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt (2016)

       

      Module 16: Gay Rights

      • Lawrence v. Texas (2003) 
      • United States v. Windsor (2013)
      • Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
      •