This section of Constitutional Law II includes coverage both of civil rights (Fourteenth Amendment protection of due process and of equal protection) and of civil liberties (First Amendment protection of speech and of religion), as well as limited coverage of other constitutionally protected rights and liberties. The First Amendment portion of this course includes an examination of freedom of speech and the press, as well as the Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause protections of freedom of religion. The Fourteenth Amendment portion deals with due process of law (procedural due process, substantive due process, the incorporation of the Bill of Rights protections to limit the powers of states and municipalities) and with equal protection of the laws (examining racial discrimination, gender discrimination, other classifications). Rights of privacy and personal autonomy will also be considered. The course will also examine other constitutional rights, including the right to keep and bear arms (Second Amendment), the protection of private property (Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments), and other provisions.
