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Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints / Edition 8

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ISBN-10:: 1452226768
ISBN-13:: 9781452226767
Pub. Date:: 02/15/2013
Publisher:: SAGE Publications

ISBN-10:: 1452226768
ISBN-13:: 9781452226767
Pub. Date:: 02/15/2013
Publisher:: SAGE Publications

Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints / Edition 8

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Overview

Drawing on both political science and legal studies, Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints, Eighth Edition by Lee Epstein and Thomas G. Walker helps students realize that Supreme Court cases are more than just legal names and citations. As always, Epstein and Walker account for the most recent Supreme Court cases and the latest scholarship on the justices and their decisions. With meticulous updating throughout, the authors include reworked and revised discussion on the methods of constitutional interpretation, jurisdiction stripping and standing, theories of presidential power, the separation-of-powers doctrine, cases related to the war on terrorism, federal preemption of state laws, and new developments in the interpretation of the commerce, taxing, and spending powers. In preparing this edition, Epstein and Walker reorganized chapters, sharpened the editing of case excerpts, and added supplementary material—all with the goal of enhancing student understanding of constitutional law and the judicial process.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452226767
Publisher:	SAGE Publications
Publication date:	02/15/2013
Series:	Constitutional Law for a Changing America
Edition description:	Eighth Edition
Pages:	784
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Lee Epstein (Ph D, Emory University) is the University Professor of Law & Political Science and the Hilliard Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Southern California. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the American Academy of Political and Social Science. A recipient of 12 grants from the National Science Foundation, Epstein has authored or co-authored more than 100 articles and essays and 18 books. She is currently co-editing The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Judicial Behaviour. Professor Epstein’s empirical research is frequently cited in the New York Times, among other news media.

Thomas G. Walker (Ph D, University of Kentucky) is the Goodrich C. White Professor Emeritus at Emory University, where he won several teaching awards for his courses on constitutional law and the judicial process. His book A Court Divided, written with Deborah J. Barrow, won the prestigious V. O. Key Award for the best book on Southern politics. He is the author of Eligible for Execution and coauthor of The Supreme Court Compendium: Data, Decisions, and Developments, 7th Edition, with Lee Epstein, Jeffrey A. Segal, and Harold J. Spaeth.

Chronological Table of Cases
Tables, Figures, and Boxes
Preface
I. THE SUPREME COURT AND THE CONSTITUTION
The Living Constitution
1. Understanding the U.S. Supreme Court
2. The Judiciary: Institutional Powers and Constraints
3. Incorporation of the Bill of Rights
II. CIVIL LIBERTIES
4. Religion: Exercise and Establishment
5. Freedom of Speech, Assembly, and Association
6. Freedom of the Press
7. The Boundaries of Free Expression: Libel, Obscenity, and Emerging Areas of Government Concern
8. The First Amendment and the Internet
9. The Right to Keep and Bear Arms
10. The Right to Privacy
III. THE RIGHTS OF THE CRIMINALLY ACCUSED
11. Investigations and Evidence
12. Attorneys, Trials, and Punishments
IV. CIVIL RIGHTS
13. Discrimination
14. Voting and Representation
Reference Material
Constitution of the United States
Federalist Paper, No. 78
U.S. Presidents
Thumbnail Sketch of the Supreme Court’s History
The Justices
Natural Courts
Supreme Court Calendar
Briefing Supreme Court Cases
Glossary
Online Case Archive Index
Subject Index
Case Index
Image Credits
About the Authors

From the B&N Reads Blog

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Editorial Reviews

Overall, I like the Epstein and Walker book very much. In particular, I like the cases included as well as the specific excerpts. Additionally, I like the online bank of cases because there are some that I prefer to cover in class. Having the ‘Facts’ separated from the ‘Arguments’ is very appreciated and allowed for a more focused discussion during class and students were able to follow along more easily.

Kirk Randazzo

Students really like the book and have made spontaneous comments in their course evaluations about how much they enjoy the text. The text has several strengths: great use of visuals and graphics; case discussion is quite good at placing cases in historical context; and the boxes with personal interest pieces are also very helpful.

Liane C. Kosaki

The design and focus of the book are terrific. I use several of the supplemental cases from the resource center in every unit; they are very helpful.”

Steven B. Lichtman

Students find the text lively and very helpful. In fact, some had been relying on Internet downloads until they realized how much essential background material they were forfeiting by not using the text. They find the text, moreover, easy to read—anything but ponderous (which many competing casebooks are).

Elizabeth Hull

The strengths of the Epstein/Walker text include currency with online updates of most recent post-publication decisions; significant political analysis and editorial commentary to supplement the court’s legal opinions; summary tables of legal doctrine; and boxed comparative information about constitutional law and high courts in other countries. I also find the ‘Facts’ section critical as it assists students in case analysis that requires comparisons when deciding whether a precedent is controlling or can be distinguished. The ‘Arguments’ section helps students understand the need to address both sides when answering test problems or writing research papers.

Howard Tolley

This casebook for students explores the authority of government as it has developed under U.S. constitutional law, with an emphasis on political factors. The volume contains excerpts from important Court rulings as well as commentary explaining how the law is being applied. Epstein (political science, Washington U., St. Louis) and Walker (political science, Emory U.) describe the events that lead up to the suits and the lawyers, litigants, and interest groups involved. Also included are a glossary of legal terms and brief biographies of justices. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

If you are teaching a course on Constitutional Law, you should use Epstein and Walker’s book. They have provided the gold standard. This book is chalked full of cases, concepts, analysis, and useful tables and charts. I think they present the political discussion in an ideologically neutral manner and stick to the facts when it comes to covering the main material. Epstein and Walker provide all of the tools that are needed for an instructor to properly present the material and for students to easily grasp the concepts in a course involving constitutional principles, institutional powers, and the checks on the exercise of power.

Sean D. Foreman

Constitutional Law for a Changing America remains the best political science Constitutional Law textbook on the market. It contains everything I want—an appropriate set of cases, lots of contextual material, and well edited opinions. It is a title that has evolved smartly without losing its core features.

Chad Westerland

Constitutional Law in a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is a great textbook. What I like the most are the comprehensive ‘Facts’ and ‘Arguments’ sections within each case, which I find vital in teaching and explaining the reasons behind the Court’s outcomes. The introductory chapter explaining how cases arrive at the Supreme Court and the different methods of constitutional interpretation used in resolving cases also provides a natural starting point for discussions of the Supreme Court and constitutional law.

Benjamin Bricker

The presentation of cases in Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is useful for both my students and me. The presentation lends itself to in-class discussions, permitting students to participate in meaningful ways. The combination of legal, political, and historical analysis helps students to understand the multitude of considerations relevant to the Court’s decisions.

Douglas Rice

This textbook is a thorough and thought-provoking textbook that provides historical context to assist students in understanding the complex, political, and evolutionary nature of the Supreme Court.

Christi Lee Gramling

Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints is by far the best text I’ve found for presenting the broad topics of constitutional law by integrating case law with the broader socio-political context. Epstein and Walker do a fine job of balancing excerpts and analyses throughout the book while keeping an admirably balanced tone."

Rebecca D. Gill

The opinions highlighted in Constitutional Law are spot on, summarize both sides of the argument, and make Court’s reasoning available to the students. The authors do an excellent job of introducing the cases and placing them in the context of a well-defined narrative so that students can understand the broader significance of each decision.

Linda J. Wharton

I have used this text for several years and students report enjoying it every year. The integration of historical documents and the lively commentary about the historical and political contexts of cases bring them to life and make the material more engaging for students.

Liane Kosaki

Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints / Edition 8

Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Institutional Powers and Constraints / Edition 8

Paperback

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Overview

Product Details

About the Author

Table of Contents

Customer Reviews