An Integrated Approach to Constitutional Law

This groundbreaking casebook is ideal for introductory Constitutional Law courses of 3–5 units that teach both structure and rights. Its novel approach presents constitutional law as a coherent system, not as isolated doctrines in silos. The book integrates subjects ordinarily taught in Con Law I and II; it integrates historical and doctrinal approaches; it integrates features of a casebook and a study guide; and it presents each case as an integrated whole, so that students learn relationships among doctrines while studying the details of each. Its tone is accessible, while its structure allows for sophisticated classroom discussion.

The Second Edition goes beyond merely incorporating significant cases decided after the First Edition was published in 2015. New historical material and biographical profiles have been added, even for pre-existing cases; some chapters have been reorganized; and some text has been revised to anticipate student questions that commonly arise. The features of the casebook that made it a student favorite are, of course, retained. (Students in Prof. Caplan’s classes were asked, in an anonymous survey distributed by proctors at the end of the semester, how the First Edition compared to casebooks used in other classes. 37% said the book was “better” than casebooks they used in other classes, and 45% said the book was “a lot better.”)