Anaya Nolan
Joe Biden has made references to teaching constitutional law for nine years, but there is no record of him teaching the subject in a traditional academic setting for that length of time. From 1991 to 2008, Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law at Widener University School of Law. He also served as a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania from 2017 to 2019, but his role involved panel discussions and other public appearances, not classroom teaching.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary teaching role | University of Pennsylvania |
| Years at University of Pennsylvania | 2017-2019 |
| Taught constitutional law for | 21 years |
| Taught at | Widener University School of Law |
| Years at Widener University School of Law | 1991-2008 |
| Class name | Selected Topics in Constitutional Law |
| Co-teacher | Professor Robert Hayman |
| Class schedule | Saturday mornings |
| Attendance | Present for at least half of the class time |
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What You'll Learn
Joe Biden taught constitutional law at Widener University
Joe Biden, the former senator and current US president, taught constitutional law at Widener University School of Law in Delaware. He was an adjunct professor at the university, a role he took on in 1991. From then until 2003, he taught a seminar called "Selected Topics in Constitutional Law" alone. However, due to his busy schedule, he approached the dean and expressed that he no longer had the time to teach alone. As a solution, he began co-teaching the course with Professor Robert Hayman in 2003. Biden committed to being present for at least half of the class time. The class was held on Saturday mornings, and the small class met in a board room rather than a traditional lecture hall.
Biden's class was one of the most popular seminars offered at Widener Law's Delaware campus, with a waiting list of students hoping to join. The course focused on constitutional law, but discussions were known to shift, allowing Biden to share his expertise as a veteran member of Congress. He brought a unique perspective to the classroom, sharing insights from his experience in the legislative process, policymaking, and intergovernmental relations. Biden emphasised the importance of respect, civil dialogue, and finding common ground, regardless of beliefs or background. He also shared stories of his relationships with other senators, such as the late Republican Senator John McCain, who he referred to as a friend.
Biden's salary from Widener did not decrease when he began co-teaching and reducing his teaching time. In 2001, he earned $19,133 from the university, and this amount rose to $21,867 in 2002. From then onwards, his salary remained at around $20,500. This salary was double what Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton was paid the previous year for teaching a year-long seminar at the Georgetown University Law Center.
In 2008, Biden resigned from his position at Widener University to accept Barack Obama's offer to be his vice-presidential running mate. However, even after becoming vice president-elect, Biden continued to teach at Widener. Students were pleasantly surprised when he returned to teach his class in September 2008, shortly before the election.
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He co-taught the course with Professor Robert Hayman
Joe Biden has made references to teaching constitutional law, and while he has taught the subject, his primary teaching role was at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor from 2017 to 2019. There is no record of him teaching constitutional law for nine years in a traditional academic setting. It is possible that his claim refers to guest lectures, speeches, or other informal educational roles throughout his career.
Indeed, Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law with Professor Robert Hayman at Widener University School of Law. He has been an adjunct faculty member at the university since 1991, and the class, "Selected Topics in Constitutional Law", was very popular, usually with a waiting list of students. Biden and Hayman co-taught the class from 2003 onwards, alternating between leading the class, which met on Saturday mornings. Biden would try to be present for at least half of the classes, but his schedule grew more hectic when he was chosen as Barack Obama's running mate in 2008.
Biden was paid for his teaching role, and his salary did not decrease when he cut his teaching time in half in 2003. In 2001, he was paid $19,133 by the university, and in 2002, his salary rose to $21,867. In subsequent years, his salary was $20,500.
Biden's experience as a US senator translated into meaningful lessons for his students. He brought tremendous insight to the classroom, sharing his expertise as a veteran member of Congress. He also brought a philosophy of collaboration and partnership, emphasising the importance of respect, civil dialogue, and finding common ground. Biden's relatability and humility were also appreciated by his students.
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Biden was not a full-time professor
While Joe Biden has made references to teaching constitutional law, he was not a full-time professor. His primary teaching role was at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor from 2017 to 2019. However, this role did not involve classroom teaching. Instead, Biden led panel discussions and participated in other public appearances and events.
Biden also taught constitutional law at Widener University School of Law, where he was an adjunct professor. He co-taught a seminar called "Selected Topics in Constitutional Law" with Professor Robert Hayman. This class met on Saturday mornings, and Biden typically tried to be present for at least half of the class time. However, his role at Widener was also not a full-time position, and he received a stipend for his teaching duties.
Biden's teaching at both the University of Pennsylvania and Widener University involved non-traditional educational roles. At the University of Pennsylvania, he participated in panel discussions and public appearances rather than teaching regular classes. Similarly, at Widener University, he co-taught a seminar with another professor, and his schedule became increasingly busy due to his political commitments.
Biden's teaching roles should be understood in the context of his political career. He served as a senator and later as vice president, and these responsibilities often took precedence over his teaching duties. While he may have taught constitutional law in some capacity, his primary focus was not as a full-time professor but as a practicing politician.
In summary, while Joe Biden did teach constitutional law in some capacity, he was not a full-time professor. His teaching roles were part-time and adjunct positions that involved non-traditional educational formats such as panel discussions, public appearances, and co-teaching seminars. Biden's primary career was in politics, and his teaching duties were often secondary to his political commitments.
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His primary teaching role was at the University of Pennsylvania
Joe Biden has made references to teaching constitutional law, but his primary teaching role was at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor from 2017 to 2019. While the University of Pennsylvania lists his service from 2017 to 2021, his role was closer to two years because he was on unpaid leave while running for president.
Biden's role at the University of Pennsylvania did not involve classroom teaching. Instead, he led panel discussions and made public appearances. Shortly after Biden’s appointment was announced in 2017, a Biden campaign spokesperson confirmed that Biden would not be teaching regular classes. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported in 2019 that Biden’s post "involved no regular classes and around a dozen public appearances on campus, mostly in big, ticketed events."
Biden's primary teaching role was as a constitutional law adjunct professor at Widener University-Delaware Law School, where he taught a seminar on issues in constitutional law from 1991 to 2008. This class was called "Selected Topics in Constitutional Law" and met on Saturday mornings. Biden co-taught the class with Professor Robert Hayman, alternating between leading the class. Biden tried to be present for at least half of the classes, but his schedule grew more challenging when he was chosen as Barack Obama's running mate in 2008.
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There, he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor
Joe Biden has made references to teaching constitutional law, but his primary teaching role was at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor from 2017 to 2019. There is no record of him teaching constitutional law for nine years in a traditional academic setting. It is possible that he was referring to guest lectures, speeches, or other informal educational roles throughout his career.
At the University of Pennsylvania, Biden led panel discussions and made public appearances, but did not teach in a classroom setting. He participated in a panel about the fight to cure cancer, joined a question-and-answer session on international policy, and discussed his personal relationship with former Mexican President Felipe Calderón and the ties between their countries.
From 1991 to 2008, Biden co-taught a seminar on constitutional law as an adjunct professor at Widener University School of Law in Delaware. He co-taught with Professor Robert Hayman, alternating between leading the class, which met on Saturday mornings. Biden tried to be present for at least half of the classes, but his schedule grew more hectic when he became Barack Obama's running mate in 2008.
Biden brought tremendous insight to the classroom, sharing his expertise as a veteran member of Congress. He emphasised the importance of respect, civil dialogue, and finding common ground. He also inspired his students to pursue public service and equality for all Americans.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Joe Biden taught constitutional law at Widener University School of Law from 1991 to 2008. He co-taught a seminar called "Selected Topics in Constitutional Law" with professor Robert Hayman.
No, Biden was not a full-time constitutional law professor. He served as an adjunct professor at Widener University and taught occasional courses on constitutional law for about 20 years.
Yes, Biden also taught at the University of Pennsylvania, where he was a Benjamin Franklin Presidential Practice Professor from 2017 to 2019. However, his role involved panel discussions and public appearances rather than classroom teaching.
Biden co-taught the class with Professor Hayman, alternating between leading the class. The class met on Saturday mornings, and Biden tried to be present for at least half of the sessions.
Yes, Biden's class was one of the most popular seminars offered at Widener Law. It was often fully booked with a waiting list of students hoping to get a seat.
