Constitutional Law for a Changing America: Rights, Liberties, and Justice (Eleventh Edition)

By Lee Epstein, Kevin T. McGuire, and Thomas G. Walker

Overview

This bestselling textbook provides a comprehensive analysis of how the U.S. Constitution protects civil rights and liberties in the ever-evolving American landscape. The eleventh edition, authored by Lee Epstein, Kevin T. McGuire, and Thomas G. Walker, incorporates recent landmark court decisions and new scholarship to offer a current understanding of constitutional law.

Key Themes

• The role of the Constitution in safeguarding fundamental rights and liberties
• Landmark Supreme Court decisions that have shaped American law
• The influence of political and social factors on judicial interpretations
• The ongoing debate over balancing individual rights with government authority
• The application of constitutional principles to contemporary issues

Features

• Integrates political science and legal studies to provide a well-rounded perspective
• Analyzes landmark Supreme Court cases through excerpts and summaries
• Discusses recent court rulings, including those from the 2020 term
• Offers greater coverage of freedom of expression
• Includes over 500 supplemental cases for in-depth exploration

Target Audience

• Law students enrolled in introductory constitutional law courses
• Political science students seeking a deeper understanding of the Constitution's role in American politics
• General readers interested in learning about their constitutional rights and how they are interpreted

Strengths

• Clear and engaging writing style that makes complex legal concepts understandable
• Up-to-date coverage of current events and their constitutional implications
• Emphasis on critical thinking by encouraging readers to analyze landmark cases and their reasoning
• Offers a balanced perspective by presenting opposing viewpoints on controversial issues

Chapter Headlines (Examples may vary)

• Introduction: The Constitution and American Democracy
• Federalism and the Allocation of Power
• Individual Liberties: An Overview
• Freedom of Speech
• Freedom of Religion
• Freedom of the Press
• The Right to Privacy
• The Second Amendment and the Right to Bear Arms
• The Fourteenth Amendment and Due Process
• The Fourteenth Amendment and Equal Protection
• Rights of the Accused
• Voting Rights and Elections
• Freedom of Association

Closing Paragraph

"Constitutional Law for a Changing America" equips readers with a thorough understanding of the U.S. Constitution and its role in safeguarding individual rights and liberties. By examining landmark Supreme Court decisions and ongoing debates, the book sheds light on the dynamic nature of constitutional law and its impact on American society.