The course explores basic issues in constitutional law relevant to the principles and problems of our liberal democracy. We begin with cases of the Marshall Court, which lay the foundations of our constitutional order, and define the role of the judiciary. But most of the course is devoted to controversial themes in contemporary jurisprudence. Emphasis will be placed on recent Supreme Court decisions in the areas of equal protection of the laws, the right to privacy, freedom of speech and press, religious freedom, and the rights of persons accused of crime. This course can be used to complete the requirement in American politics for political-science majors. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.