Constitutional Interpretation

The reason I didn't give this course a five star rating is that I came away from it a bit frustrated in that many questions are left unresolved. This really is not the fault of the course, however; it is the fault of our democratic process. As good as it is, being, as Prof. George points out, the only surviving true Democratic-Republic in the world, other nations having tried it only to fail and slide back into Oligarchy or Autocracy, our Democratic-Republican form of government is still hindered by a great deal of partisanship and a Supreme Court that is known from time to time to decide matters of the constitutionality of laws along party lines. Apart from that, the course taught me a great deal about the U.S. Constitution and it was enlightening to read the opinions of supporters and critics of various key legal issues that have faced the country. Prof. Robert George is excellent. Since he is an acquaintance of mine (he participated in a series of educational videos I produced on the History of the United States), I'm aware of his background. He is a Catholic and a Republican, but being an honorable advocate of an individual forming his own opinions, he never let his personal beliefs interfere with the duty of teaching. He is a good man and extremely smart. He brings a great deal of knowledge, even first-hand knowledge, having served in two presidential administrations, to the subject of learning our "law of the land".

This course, led by the brilliant Professor Robert P. George, has been an absolutely exceptional learning experience. Professor George’s lectures are not only engaging but deeply insightful, demonstrating his vast knowledge and passion for the subject matter. His ability to break down complex constitutional concepts in a clear and accessible way is in my view unmatched. The lectures are thought-provoking, often blending rigorous legal analysis with philosophical depth, making every session both intellectually stimulating and enjoyable.

His methodical approach to teaching, combined with his engaging delivery, fosters a learning environment where students are encouraged to think critically and independently. It's no surprise that, like me, many believe Professor George would make a brilliant Supreme Court Judge, given his profound understanding of constitutional law, his thoughtful reasoning, and his ability to navigate complex legal and ethical questions with clarity and precision. The only downside is the absence of any provable certificate issued on the completion of this course.

This course is extremely well done and presented. Prof. George is an outstanding scholar and superb lecturer. Those of his students who go on to law school will have a huge leg up in Con Law and are unlikely to find a teacher there of his caliber. His analyses are lucid, instructive, and provocative. The course is equally valuable for those of us who are simply trying to navigate our rights and duties as citizens. It has been said that if one wishes to understand our democratic republic, it is better to read the Federalist Papers (and I would add the anti-Federalist Papers) than the Constitution itself. After experiencing Prof. George’s course, I would wish that everyone take it. In fact, I wish it was mandatory for all Congressmen, Executive Branch officers, and Federal Judges. A word of advice for future students: do the readings. On-line discussion- the forum-is worthwhile, but it takes time and patience. (How nice it would be to be present in the precepts!) But, the readings, and especially the cases, speak to you as well, and can be the basis of a kind of dialogue, too, if you are willing to take the time and think. The only criticism I have is that in one of the week’s reading list there were articles you needed to find at a library. This can present a logistical challenge and, in one instance, I was never able to find a copy of one of the books.

The course included knowledge checks in between lectures that covered various legal topics, and I found it to be a fair assessment of the knowledge I acquired from the online course. The test consisted of multiple-choice questions that required a solid understanding of constitutional law and Supreme Court cases. The questions were well-designed and covered a range of important constitutional principles and landmark decisions. They touched upon subjects such as civil liberties, equal protection, due process, and individual rights. The questions were not overly difficult, but they did require a thorough understanding of the material to answer correctly. I believe this test accurately tested my comprehension of constitutional law concepts and the content covered in the online course. The questions were fair, relevant, and indicative of the knowledge I gained throughout my studies. I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to assess their understanding of constitutional law and Supreme Court cases. It serves as a valuable tool for evaluating one's comprehension and identifying areas for further study or review.