Law School for Everyone: Constitutional Law

by Eric Berger

Americans wage many of today’s fiercest policy debates and culture wars as battles over constitutional meaning. It’s because constitutional law is so fundamental to our democracy that law schools across the country teach the subject. It's the area of law that determines what federal and state governments are permitted to do, and what rights you have as an individual citizen of the United States.

In these 12 lectures, you'll get the same accessible, well-rounded introduction to constitutional law as a typical law student - but with the added benefit of noted constitutional scholar Eric Berger's brilliant insights. Taking you through all three branches of the federal government, Professor Berger uses some of the most important legal cases in the United States to probe the open-ended nature of the Constitution’s language and illustrate how legal reasoning has defined the power relationships that the Constitution governs.

You’ll examine pivotal Supreme Court cases to learn how interpreting the Constitution has radically affected American society. You’ll consider the Supreme Court’s role in deciding - and sometimes avoiding - questions of constitutionality. And you’ll investigate how changes in public opinion can influence how the Supreme Court interprets the Constitution.

While the open-ended nature of the Constitution’s language makes constitutional law often uncertain, these lectures offer you a better understanding of its many nuances, as well as its profound importance for the future of the United States.

Genres: Law, Nonfiction, Politics, History, Audiobook, Philosophy, Legal

123 pages, Audiobook

Published April 26, 2019

Reviews

[Peter Schmeltzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty objective. Had my doubts, but the content was really interesting. He included a plug for removing the electoral college... thus 3 stars.

[Ariel Paiement · Rating 3 out of 5]

This course was light on actual examination of the Constitution and law in light of it. I didn't really like that since the Constitution is the whole basis of constitutional law. However, it did provide excellent insight into the history of case law in the Supreme Court. If you're looking to understand the history of the Supreme Court and how it has changed over the years, this course will provide it. If you are looking for something that will teach you actual Constitutional law and the principles it is built upon, I recommend American Civics and Constitutional Law from the Heritage Institute. This course goes through the actual Constitution and talks you through how it forms the basis for law in the US. The course also dives into the mindset of the framers, talks about the places they drew inspiration from and the examples of governmental systems they wanted to avoid (Greece and Rome), and gives insight into the foundation of law and the Constitution as a whole. It does come from a uniquely Christian perspective, so if you are avidly against Christianity, then stick to Berger's course. You won't get the in depth study of the document that all the case laws should have been decided on, but you'll avoid a Christian worldview if that's a sticking point for you and you'll learn a fair amount about cases and why the Supreme Court judged the way they did.

I felt Berger was fairly unbiased in his presentation. He does seem to be a bit more liberal in his own viewpoints, but he did an excellent job of presenting the facts and striving to avoid coloring the court decisions and cases with his own viewpoint. This leaves the reader able to make their own decisions about what they think regarding the cases and the decisions on them as well as the adherence of those decisions to the Constitution. I strongly recommend coupling this course with a study of the Constitution itself to allow for better understanding and interpretation. As I already had some of that founding myself, I didn't find that I had a hard time understanding the reasoning used to decide on cases or in determining for myself whether or not I agreed with the rulings made. If you don't know your Constitution, however, you may struggle in this area since Berger does not go heavily into the Constitution nor does he tell you what to think one way or another.

[Roo Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid review of hot button constitutional issues, seen through the eyes of the SCOTUS. It isn't too long, and it has some very relevant topics to today's news. I found the discussions regarding the forming of the three branches of government and, more specifically, the power granted to each to be particularly interesting. Also fascinating is the evolution of the SCOTUS decisions over the decades and how it often follows the evolution of our own culture.

[Kevin Parkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this course and found it to be among the most interesting of the Great Courses classes I've listened to. The lectures were well-structured and very enlightening. I also appreciated their brevity (as this was among the shortest of the Great Courses I've listened to), though that brevity did come at an expense. The material was a bit dense, which is mainly a good thing - he certainly didn't dumb down any of his argument and felt no need to take additional time or words to explain concepts. But I do wonder if this course is really law school "for everyone." Further, the course focused almost exclusively on the Supreme Court. I suppose that makes sense, and an intense focus on the Supreme Court is to be expected. But I thought there would be a little more pure explanation (i.e. "here's what the first amendment says, here's what the second amendment says," etc.), and perhaps a little more focus on the way the legislative or executive branches have shaped the Constitution as well. Nonetheless, this was a very strong book that got my thinking. I'm glad I listened to it and will likely be picking up more of the "Law School for Everyone" series in the future.

[R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great audiobook and look at me, only January 1st and I'm already finishing a book! That's bodes well for hitting my goal this year.

It's not surprising I liked this since Constitutional Law was my favorite course going for a AAS in Law and Justice. I did learn some ideas and concepts this time around from this, or maybe it was relearning them since I took that class 14-15 years ago. If you enjoy the law or you're looking for something to better understand the historical as well as the day to day role that the US Supreme Court plays this is a great place to start.

Also not a bad listen in case you're just looking for something fun. Very well done and easy to follow, great voice for it, and pace, and logical procession from one topic to another.

[Dave Swift · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and quick read; a very good and timely book about Constitutional Law (law professor lecture series). I gave 4 stars only because it’s 3 years old and needs to be updated to discuss the recent SCOTUS decisions that go against established precedence and overturns long-standing decisions.

This provides an excellent primer about the Constitutional roles of the Federal Branches of government, discusses the balance of power between the States and the Federal Government, the evolving history of the SCOTUS, and a fascinating detailing about how the SCOTUS works, and discusses some of the more contentious decisions.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this would be about the history and content of the US Constitution, but it is more about the controversy of the Supreme Court in major landmark cases. The politics of the Supreme Court is explored as well as its role in the division of powers. It is a good course, but I think I would look also for something that would break down the Constitution itself.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a lawyer so you'd think I remember all of this (or was up on cases since I went to law school), and though it all instantly came back to me, a lot of the cases have fallen into the back of my brain. A very easy to follow march through a dozen or so topics in Con Law.

I appreciated the refresher on cases that followed my time in school.

Timing: This catches Obergefell, but not Dobbs. It runs up through Gorsuch, but the lecturer talks about how Kennedy has just announced his retirement, so no mention of Kavanaugh or Coney Barrett.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent explanation of how the USA Constitution came to be written, and what follows from that. The author/ lecturer tells what was going on in the country when each amendment came about. He discusses how the court system works, from the federal court level to the Supreme Court. He discusses the relationship between courts and politics at the federal level. Recommended for all teens and adults interested in USA history, government, courts, and rights.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally like the Great Courses programs and also like constitutional law, but this one managed to be brief enough to avoid anything actually interesting and yet also cluttered to not present the framework very well.

[Drake McCrary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It well done but most the information could be found in a government class. Given my experience with those classes I found myself getting bore often but if you haven't taken a government class since high school and you are interested this is a good course to get started with.

[AttackGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why not open a book to open and educate your mind on the ideas and concepts you live under under that concept people have long to live under and others have lost their lives over.

Perhaps the concept of Freedom is only a ruse…

[Porter Broyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short informative history of Constitutional Law.

Well done, but I felt it was a little too superficial for me.

Probably a good intro to somebody less familiar with the issue.

Overall, I've enjoyed the Law School for Everyone series.

[Taras Basiuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a pretty approachable read on the basic principles of US constitutional law. It's not long, not overloaded by legalese, and pretty interesting. I learned a few things and recommended that you do the same.

[Bill Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

In light of the second round of impeachment discussion, this was a nice read to get caught up on the salient points about constitutional law...

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good teacher! Clear, fair, interesting, and laid out in easy to follow points. Nicely done!

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good info, somewhat dry and not as immediately applicable.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating

[Sean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wasn't bad, but wasn't what I thought it would be. It was a miss for me, but might be practical and informational for someone else.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

short talks about parts of the constitution

[Jove · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid review of the bigger and controversial ideas where constitutional law runs into the public mind. I enjoyed the lecture series, but was looking for a bit deeper dive.

[Justin L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. Half reasoned analysis of major Supreme Court decisions and half history review of the make-up of the Court. I wished it was a bit longer.

[riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick book with good knowledge on Constitutional Law and the key cases within con law.

[Manli Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative, surprisingly entertaining.

[Iva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend.

[Skyler Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most interesting elements were the case studies. Enjoyed thinking through the many edge cases that came up throughout history.

[Bill Dauster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A balanced review of the highlights, but by no means the details, of major constitutional issues

[Emma Pontzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do you explain your argument.

[Dav · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great, accessible intro to constitutional law. Speaker is knowledgeable and content is at good depth.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview of how the Supreme Court has developed over the years. Gained understanding of the progressive view. Author kept his viewpoint mostly under wraps until the final chapter.