Silicon Valley Business School

Contents of SVBS Course: U.S. Constitution

This module covers the core elements of U.S. constitutional law including legislative powers, executive powers, federal v. state powers, individual rights, equal protection and free speech.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Upon completion of this course you will be able to:

Describe how the U.S. Constitution was framed, how powers were divided among the legislature and the executive (President), and how powers are balanced between the states and the federal government.
Describe how the U.S. Constitution provides rights to individuals including equal protection and freedom of speech.


Course Sections

The course is organized into the following sections:

U.S. Constitution: History
U.S. Constitution: Legislative Powers
U.S. Constitution: Executive Powers
U.S. Constitution: Federal & State Powers
U.S. Constitution: Individual Rights
U.S. Constitution: Equal Protection
U.S. Constitution: Freedom of Speech
U.S. Constitution: Constitutional Law Cases
U.S. Constitution: Determining if a Law is Constitutional
U.S. Constitution: Judicial Powers

U.S. Constitution: History
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- History

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  • Video ~ Division of Powers

    • The United States Constitution allows for three separate branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial).
  • Video ~ The Making of the American Constitution

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  • The U.S. Constitution ~ Index

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  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- History

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- History".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution

    • The U.S. Constitution established America’s national government and fundamental laws, and guaranteed certain basic rights for its citizens. It was signed on September 17, 1787, by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, presided over by George Washington.
  • Reading ~ A History of the Constitution

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    U.S. Constitution: Legislative Powers
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Legislative Powers

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  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Legislative Powers

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Legislative Powers".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article I

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  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article I ~ Legislative Branch

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    U.S. Constitution: Executive Powers
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Executive Powers

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  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Executive Powers

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Executive Powers".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article II

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  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article II ~ Executive Branch

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    U.S. Constitution: Federal & State Powers
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Federal v. State Powers

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  • Video ~ Federalism

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  • Video ~ Commerce Clause

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  • Video ~ Dormant Commerce Clause

    • What is the Dormant Commerce Clause? This video discusses the doctrine that states may not discriminate against other states in interstate commerce.
  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Federal v. State Powers

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Federal v. State Powers".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article IV

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    U.S. Constitution: Judicial Powers
  • Video ~ Marbury v. Madison

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  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Article III ~ Judicial Branch

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  • Reading ~ Marbury v. Madison

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    U.S. Constitution: Individual Rights
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Individual Rights

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  • Video ~ Bill of Rights

    • What is the Bill of Rights? This video discusses the first Ten Amendments to the United States Constitution, known as the Bill of Rights.
  • Video ~ Lemon Test

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  • Video ~ 14th Amendment Due Process Clause

    • What is the 14th Amendment Due Process Clause? This video discusses the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment and its relationship to the 5th Amendment Due Process Clause.
  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Individual Rights

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Individual Rights".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Bill of Rights

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  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ Bill of Rights

    • The first 10 amendments to the Constitution make up the Bill of Rights. Written by James Madison in response to calls from several states for greater constitutional protection for individual liberties, the Bill of Rights lists specific prohibitions on governmental power.
    U.S. Constitution: Equal Protection
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Equal Protection

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  • Video ~ History of 14th Amendment

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  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Equal Protection

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Equal Protection".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ 14th Amendment

    • The Fourteenth Amendment addresses many aspects of citizenship and the rights of citizens.
    U.S. Constitution: Freedom of Speech
  • Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Free Speech

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  • Slideshow Handout ~ U.S. Constitution -- Free Speech

    • PDF slides for the learning material titled: "Video ~ U.S. Constitution -- Free Speech".
  • Reading ~ The U.S. Constitution ~ First Amendment

    • The First Amendment guarantees freedoms concerning religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition. It forbids Congress from both promoting one religion over others and also restricting an individual’s religious practices. It guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely. It also guarantees the right of citizens to assemble peaceably and to petition their government.
  • The First Amendment and what it means for free speech online

    • The definition of “speech” has expanded in the past 200 years to now include far more than just written or spoken words. Actions themselves can constitute free speech. This broad definition makes interpreting the freedoms, and subsequent limitations, all the more vague as some actions are certainly harmful to others in ways that infringe on their rights.
    U.S. Constitution: Constitutional Law Cases
  • Video ~ Standing To Challenge A Law's Constitutionality

    • What is "standing"? This video discusses the principle that only a plaintiff who has standing --legal capacity---may challenge a law (or government action) as unconstitutional.
  • Video ~ Private Right Of Action

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    U.S. Constitution: Determining if a Law is Constitutional
  • Video ~ Tests to Determine if a Law is Constitutional

    • What is a "test" for constitutionality? This video introduces tests that courts apply to determine whether a law is constitutional or not.
  • Video ~ Strict Scrutiny, Intermediate Scrutiny, And Rational Basis Tests

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  • Video ~ Intermediate Scrutiny

    • When do courts apply intermediate scrutiny? This video introduces circumstances where courts typically apply the intermediate scrutiny test to determine whether a law is constitutional.
  • Video ~ Strict Scrutiny

    • When do courts apply strict scrutiny? This video introduces circumstances where courts typically apply the struct scrutiny test to determine whether a law is constitutional.
    Certificate Course
    This certificate tracks your progress and tests you in each section. Once you have passed all the quizzes, submitted an assignment and reviewed all the materials, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.