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An Integrated Approach to Constitutional Law

3rd Edition
Aaron H. Caplan
ISBN: 9781685612399
CasebookPlus ISBN: 9798887861906
Subject: Constitutional Law
Format: Print - Hardbound
Page Count: 1152
Copyright: 2023 | Status: In Stock
Other Formats Available
CasebookPlus option available

This title is a part of our CasebookPlus™ offering as ISBN 9798887861906. Learn more at Faculty-CasebookPlus.com.

This groundbreaking casebook is ideal for introductory Constitutional Law courses of 3–5 units that teach both structure and rights. Its novel approach presents constitutional law as a coherent system, not as isolated doctrines in silos. The unique organization reflects latest advances in the science of learning, taking advantage of various techniques (including interleaving and spaced repetition) that allow students to learn the relationships among doctrines while studying the details of each.

  • The book integrates subjects ordinarily taught in Con Law I and II.
  • It integrates historical and doctrinal approaches.
  • It integrates features of a casebook and a study guide, including unique features (very popular with students) labelled Kickstarters, Flashbacks, and Flashforwards.
  • The principal cases are transparently edited and introduced with informative background material so that each opinion acts as an involving human story, not a mere vehicle for stating isolated bits of doctrine.
  • Its tone is accessible, while its structure allows for sophisticated classroom discussion.
  • Students love the book. Over several semesters, Prof. Caplan’s students were asked to anonymously compare the book to other casebooks. 37% said the book was “better” than casebooks assigned in other classes, and 45% said it was “a lot better.”

A detailed teacher's manual and companion web site offer charts, slides, graphics, and additional source materials, significantly enhancing accessibility for first-time adopters. Short videos keyed to the book’s chapters are available as asynchronous assignments before class on the author’s YouTube channel.

The Third Edition incorporates significant cases decided after the Second Edition was published in 2018 (including Dobbs and the Trump Subpeona cases) and adds additional historical material to several pre-existing cases. Of course, the features of the casebook that made it a student favorite have been retained.

“With most other Con Law books, students have to struggle to figure out what the questions are before they can begin to figure out what the answers might be. Caplan’s book is set up in such a way to allow students to quickly grasp that many of the most common questions in constitutional law are actually quite straightforward, which allows them to move more directly to the difficult work of figuring out how one might approach the problem of answering those questions and what the answers might be. And it makes good use of proven pedagogical techniques, enabling the students to encounter concepts multiple times throughout the semester and to draw connections among different pieces of the course. This is by far the best casebook I’ve ever used.”
—Chad M. Oldfather, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, Marquette University Law School

“I absolutely love this casebook. I have taught constitutional law at the law school and undergraduate levels, and I have used several casebooks, but now that I have discovered Caplan's book, this is the only casebook I will use. I find it particularly well-suited for undergraduates, because it is so clear in describing the relevant constitutional terms and doctrines, and so compelling in telling the background stories for each case. I have received nothing but positive feedback from students on the casebook."
—Jesse Merriam, Associate Professor of Government and Pre-Law Advisor, Patrick Henry College


Imprint: Foundation Press
Series: University Casebook Series
Publication Date: 07/25/2023

Aaron H. Caplan, Loyola Law School - LA

CasebookPlus™

This title is available in our CasebookPlus format. CasebookPlus provides support beyond your classroom lectures and materials by offering additional digital resources to you and your students. Anchored by faculty-authored formative self-assessments keyed to our most popular casebooks, CasebookPlus allows students to test their understanding of core concepts as they are learning them in class – on their own, outside of the classroom, with no extra work on your part. CasebookPlus combines three important elements:

  • A new print or digital casebook
  • Access to a downloadable eBook with the ability to highlight and add notes
  • 12-month access to a digital Learning Library complete with:
Multiple-choice self-assessment questions, including:
  • Chapter questions keyed to the casebook
  • Black Letter Law questions (available in select subjects)
  • Subject area review questions for end of semester use
Essay and short answer questions with sample answers and expert commentary, in 1L and select upper-level subjects

Leading digital study aids, an outline starter, and audio lectures in select subjects

Students can still utilize CasebookPlus digital resources if they’ve purchased a used book or are renting their text by purchasing the Learning Library at westacademic.com.

With CasebookPlus, you can customize your students’ learning experience and monitor their performance. The quiz editor allows you to create your own custom quiz set, suppress specific quiz questions or quiz sets, and time-release quiz questions. Additionally, the flexible, customized reporting capability helps you evaluate your students’ understanding of the material and can also help your school demonstrate compliance with the new ABA Assessment and Learning Outcomes standards.

Teacher's Manual

Companion Site

Companion Blog (2015-2016)

For Students

Supplemental Cases (2nd Edition)

Errata and Updates (2nd Edition)

Videos

For Professors

Should I Adopt This Book?

Teacher's Manuals (2nd Edition)

Annual Update Letters (2015-2022)

Sample Syllabi (2015-2019)

PowerPoint Slides (2nd Edition)

Exams & Model Answers (2013-2021)

These past exams and model answers may be shared with students for studying and review sessions. You may distribute them as is, or edit them to your liking. Because they are on file in the Loyola Law School library, they are not confidential; as a result, they should not be used for a graded exam without making alterations.

Handouts and Worksheets (2nd Edition)

Learn more about this series.

“With most other Con Law books, students have to struggle to figure out what the questions are before they can begin to figure out what the answers might be. Caplan’s book is set up in such a way to allow students to quickly grasp that many of the most common questions in constitutional law are actually quite straightforward, which allows them to move more directly to the difficult work of figuring out how one might approach the problem of answering those questions and what the answers might be. And it makes good use of proven pedagogical techniques, enabling the students to encounter concepts multiple times throughout the semester and to draw connections among different pieces of the course. This is by far the best casebook I’ve ever used.”
—Chad M. Oldfather, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Professor of Law, Marquette University Law School

“I absolutely love this casebook. I have taught constitutional law at the law school and undergraduate levels, and I have used several casebooks, but now that I have discovered Caplan's book, this is the only casebook I will use. I find it particularly well-suited for undergraduates, because it is so clear in describing the relevant constitutional terms and doctrines, and so compelling in telling the background stories for each case. I have received nothing but positive feedback from students on the casebook."
—Jesse Merriam, Associate Professor of Government and Pre-Law Advisor, Patrick Henry College