American Constitutional Law (17^th Ed.) Introductory Essays and Selected Cases

This classic collection of carefully selected and edited Supreme Court case excerpts and comprehensive background essays explores constitutional law and the role of the Supreme Court in its development and interpretation. Well-grounded in both theory and politics, it endeavors to heighten students' understanding of and interest in these critical areas of our governmental system.

• 9 new cases (including 2 cases from the 2015?2016 term decided by 8 justices) and discussion of 30 additional new cases.
• New case highlights include Sebelius on Obamacare, Obergefell on same sex marriage, and 2 new cases on government surveillance.
• Covers the death of Justice Antonin Scalia and ensuing controversies.
• Updates every chapter-opening essay and end-of-chapter Selected Readings.
• Provides an author-written online Instructor?s Manual with Test Bank, historical Supreme Court documents, noteworthy decisions and dissents, and cases from previous editions.

Preface

Introduction: A Political Supreme Court

1. Jurisdiction and Organization of the Federal Courts

2. The Constitution, the Supreme Court, and Judicial Review

3. Congress and the President

4. Federalism

5. The Electoral Process

6. The Commerce Clause

7. National Taxing and Spending Power

8. Property Rights and the Development of Due Process

9. The Bill of Rights

10. Criminal Justice

11. Freedom of Expression

12. Religious Liberty

13. Privacy

14. Equal Protection of the Laws

15. Security and Freedom in Wartime

Appendix A: The Constitution of the United States Of America

Appendix B: Justices of the Supreme Court

Appendix C: Presidents and Justices

Appendix D: American Constitutional Development as Reflected in a Chronology of Cases Reprinted in This Book

Glossary

Index of Cases

Index of Subjects and Names

Alpheus Thomas Mason (late) was McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence Emeritus at Princeton University.

Donald Grier Stephenson, Jr. is Charles A. Dana Professor of Government at Franklin & Marshall College.