Methodology for Teaching Constitutional Law

Teaching constitutional law concepts has become more exciting, interesting, and thorough by utilizing Barron, Dienes, McCormack, and Redish's Constitutional Law: Principles and Policy. The authors of this casebook are full professors of law who are distinguished experts in the field of constitutional law. Barron and Dienes are also coauthors of two study aid texts designed to supplement the casebook: a Nutshell Series outline and a Black Letter Series outline. These provide summaries of constitutional law intended to assist the student in recognizing and comprehending the principles and issues of law covered in this casebook and others.

This Essay addresses the pedagogical goals, contents, and structure of Constitutional Law: Principles and Policy and a method of teaching Constitutional Law from this casebook. The methodology component of the essay provides an overview of the following: pedagogical goals in using the casebook; a consideration of learning modalities and learning styles; levels of student learning; utilization of the case method, problem-solving approach, question-answer approach, oral argument approach, Socratic method, and lecture approach using illustrations, diagrams, and charts; use of tutorials; use of reviews; and use of practice exams.