FYSP 133 - The Great Debate: The Arguments That Created America’s Constitution

The U.S. Constitution did not arise out of whole cloth: it was drafted, negotiated, and ratified after intense debates. This seminar explores the arguments that the Founders grappled with at its creation as well as key arguments before the Supreme Court that have sought to interpret the Constitution over the past two and a quarter centuries. Students will analyze historical arguments as they hone their own skills in advocacy writing. Students will become essayists arguing for and against some of the most significant provisions of the Constitution and will use the legal brief form to present oral arguments in mock Supreme Court sessions. Throughout the seminar, students will learn to engage in robust discussions and arguments in a thoughtful and respectful way, core skills for an Oberlin education.