HIS 537 - Shifting Cultural Sands: the Rights of Americans in the 21st Century

In this course we will examine the historical

forces which shaped the creation of the Bill of

Rights of the United States Constitution, the

Supreme Court’s various methods of interpreting

the scope of individual rights contained within

the United States Constitution, the difficulties

inherent in maintaining an inclusive concept of

individual rights in society where strong

government intervention is necessary to maintain

law and order, and the positions of those who

maintain that “activist judges” are writing law,

thwarting the will of the majority, and usurping

the legislative function of our elected officials.