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Course Introduction: Reading America's Written Constitution

Akhil Reed Amar · 22:59

2

Congressional Powers, Part 1

Akhil Reed Amar · 22:21

3

Reading Between the Lines, Part 1

Akhil Reed Amar · 23:35

4

Introduction to Individual Decision-Making

Ian Ball · 57:16

5

Why Study Public Finance?

Jonathan Gruber · 53:19

6

Externalities in Theory

Jonathan Gruber · 1:17:13

Reading Between the Lines, Part 1

Akhil Reed AmarDistinguishedYale University

Professor

23:35·2026·undergraduate level
Path step 3: Shows how unwritten conventions, structural inference, and historical practice complete written text.

This lecture introduces the method of holistic constitutional interpretation, applying the absurdity canon to the Vice President's impeachment trial and the 'judge in own case' rule. It also examines McCulloch v. Maryland, demonstrating how John Marshall inferred a national bank's legality from the document's overall purpose, not explicit text.

PhilosophyMoral & Political PhilosophyAbsurdity CanonMcCulloch v. MarylandImpeachment Process

Read literally, the Constitution seems to let the vice president preside at his own impeachment trial. Akhil Reed Amar shows why that cannot be the right answer.

Source: YaleCourses via YouTubeWatch on YouTube
LecturerAll lecturers →
Akhil Reed AmarDistinguished

Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science, Yale University

Sterling Professor of Law and Political Science at Yale University and one of the most cited scholars of the U.S. Constitution.

2 courses · 35 lecturesCanon
Previous · Step 2

Congressional Powers, Part 1

Next · Step 4

Introduction to Individual Decision-Making

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