Kara Sears
There are a lot of options when it comes to law school supplements, and choosing the right one depends on several factors, such as the subject matter, professors, personal learning style, and cost. One of the most highly recommended supplements for constitutional law is Constitutional Law (Principles and Policies), written by Professor Erwin Chemerinsky. This supplement is considered the gold standard and covers every topic studied in constitutional law, public policy discussions, and justifications for both sides of arguments. Another highly recommended supplement is CrunchTime (Constitutional Law), which provides concise summaries, exam tips, and practice questions to help students prepare for their exams effectively. Other notable constitutional law supplements include Siegel's Constitutional Law, Glannon Guide to Constitutional Law, and Understanding Constitutional Law.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Author | Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, John Attanasio, Joel K, Steve Emanuel |
| Format | Treatises, Q&A, outlines, exam tips, sample answers, multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions |
| Topics Covered | Constitutional law, public policy discussions, justifications for both sides of arguments, criminal law, torts, property law, civil procedure |
| Ease of Use | Easy to digest, concise, clear explanations, straightforward |
| Additional Features | Includes an abridged version of the Constitution, exam-taking tips, general guidance on law school and career |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right supplement
It is advisable to focus on one supplement, rather than several, to save money and time, and to avoid confusion from cross-referencing. Try to keep the same pace in your supplement as what is being covered in class.
Some of the most popular constitutional law supplements include Constitutional Law (Principles and Policies), affectionately known as "Chemerinksy," written by Professor Erwin Chemerinsky. This supplement is considered the gold standard of con law supplements. CrunchTime (Constitutional Law) is another highly recommended supplement, offering a concise summary of key concepts, exam tips, and practice questions. Siegel's Constitutional Law is also a great option, with its Q&A format that can enhance your exam preparation.
Other notable supplements include the Glannon Guide to Constitutional Law: Governmental Structure and Powers, which provides straightforward explanations and practical applications of complex concepts. Understanding Constitutional Law by John Attanasio and Joel K. is another succinct yet comprehensive guide, including 192 multiple-choice and short-answer questions, as well as a comprehensive "practice exam." Constitutional Law in a Nutshell is a great option for those seeking a concise summary of constitutional law from Marbury v. Madison (1803) to the present. Lastly, Emanuel Law Outlines for Constitutional Law by Steven L. Emanuel is a popular choice among law students, helping them understand concepts and prepare for exams effectively.
Remember, while these supplements are recommended, always choose what works best for your specific needs and learning style.
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Constitutional Law (Principles and Policies)
The book provides a clear statement of the law and identifies the underlying policy issues in each area of constitutional law. It covers a wide range of topics, including the historical background and contemporary themes of constitutional law, federal judicial, legislative, and executive power, limits on state regulatory and taxing power, the structure of the Constitution's protection of civil rights and civil liberties, procedural due process, economic liberties, equal protection, and fundamental rights. It also covers First Amendment issues concerning speech and religion and includes discussions of recent and significant cases.
The Fifth Edition of the book features updated material, including new developments in law since the previous edition, with a focus on standing, congressional power, presidential power, and the war on terror. It also covers school desegregation, abortion rights, and voting rights. The book provides a comprehensive overview of constitutional law and is considered a valuable resource for anyone studying or practising in this area.
Some reviews of the book note that it is a long and dense read, but it provides much-needed clarity on the issues of balance between the Executive, Legislative, and Judiciary branches. The book's organization of chapters and subchapters may cause some early confusion, but it is still considered a valuable resource for understanding constitutional law and its recent controversies.
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CrunchTime (Constitutional Law)
The Emanuel CrunchTime Constitutional Law supplement is a great resource for visual learners, with flow charts that help you analyse exam questions and capsule summaries that allow you to quickly review key concepts. It also provides exam tips and sample exam and essay questions with model answers. This supplement is based on the trusted Emanuel Law Outlines, developed by a Harvard law student. It covers all the topics studied in constitutional law, public policy discussions, and justifications for both sides of every potential argument.
CrunchTime is a fantastic supplement for navigating your 1L con law class. It is perfect for exam preparation, with tips and review features that help you approach the final with confidence. The flow charts are particularly useful, as they walk you through a series of yes/no questions that can be applied to any exam question. The capsule summaries are also beneficial, as they help you absorb key concepts quickly.
In addition to the above, CrunchTime Constitutional Law provides an abridged version of the Constitution, which is a great reference. It is a good idea to keep the same pace in your supplement as what is being covered in class. This saves time and prevents confusion from cross-referencing various sources.
While CrunchTime is an excellent resource, it is important to note that con law can be fairly professor-specific, so there may be some material in the supplement that is not relevant to your particular course. However, this supplement can still be used to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you prepare for exams.
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Hornbooks
While hornbooks are not technically supplements, they can be useful when you are struggling to understand a specific topic within constitutional law. Hornbooks are a type of legal treatise, and every law school library should carry them, so check there first before buying.
One highly recommended hornbook for constitutional law is John E. Nowak et al.'s "Constitutional Law". This hornbook is a good text for constitutional law, though it is not comprehensive. It has intentionally excluded other areas (e.g. conflict of laws, criminal procedure) that are likely covered in other law classes. Instead, the text focuses on the areas of constitutional law that are most frequently used and discussed in classes, courts, and the media. The authors present a very case-law-based presentation, with the occasional addition of extra elements. The three primary sections of the text are:
- Judicial Review
- Federal System and Federal Powers
- Individual Rights and Liberties
Another hornbook to consider is "Modern Constitutional Law: Cases and Notes", authored by Professor Rotunda, a former editor of the Harvard Law Review and Professor of Law at the University of Illinois College of Law. This hornbook provides a detailed, up-to-date, and comprehensive analysis of American constitutional law. It examines the issues that are studied and litigated today, including the origins of judicial review and federal jurisdiction, individual liberties and due process, federal powers to enforce the Bill of Rights, and the separation of powers.
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Exam tips and practice
Study Strategies:
- Create a Study Outline: Construct a comprehensive outline that serves as a roadmap for your exam preparation. Include all the rules, exceptions, and easy-to-memorize charts. Continuously update and adjust your outline as you find better ways to phrase rules and simplify concepts.
- Prioritize Key Topics: Focus on highly tested topics in constitutional law, such as individual rights, which account for about 50% of exam questions.
- Practice with Questions: Engage in consistent practice by answering exam-style questions. This helps improve retention and familiarizes you with the exam format. Seek out practice questions from resources like UWorld's MBE QBank, which offers realistic questions and detailed answer explanations.
- Understand Judicial Review and Federalism: Develop a strong grasp of judicial review, including identifying sources and types. Understand the boundaries between state and federal authority, as many exam questions will test your knowledge of these concepts.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: Be mindful of common traps, such as assuming broad congressional powers under "General Welfare." Stay clear of pitfalls by studying exam tips provided in resources like Emanuel® CrunchTime.
Recommended Resources:
- Emanuel® CrunchTime: This resource offers flowcharts, capsule summaries, sample exam questions, and critical exam tips. It helps you identify common traps and provides model answers to enhance your preparation.
- Siegel's Constitutional Law: This supplement is highly regarded for its Q&A format, featuring multiple-choice and essay exam questions. It offers extensive practice and helps crystallize your understanding of the material.
- Constitutional Law (Principles and Policies): Affectionately known as "Chemerinsky," this book is written by renowned constitutional law scholar Professor Erwin Chemerinsky. It is considered the gold standard for constitutional law supplements.
- Glannon Guide to Constitutional Law: This guide provides straightforward explanations of complex concepts and helps you understand their application. It serves as a valuable supplement or substitute for classroom lectures.
- Understanding Constitutional Law: This comprehensive yet succinct book covers constitutional law topics typically encountered in a first-year class. It provides black letter law doctrines, historical context, and dissenting thoughts, making it ideal for beginners and those seeking deeper understanding.
- Constitutional Law in a Nutshell by Jerome Barron and C. Dienes: This resource offers over 150 multiple-choice and short-answer practice questions, along with sample answers and explanations. It covers various constitutional law topics, including the Supreme Court's authority and fundamental rights.
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Frequently asked questions
The best constitutional law supplement depends on several factors, including the subject matter, professors, personal learning style, and cost. However, some highly recommended supplements include:
- Constitutional Law (Principles and Policies) by Professor Erwin Chemerinsky, also known as "Chemerinksy" or "Chemerinsky"
- CrunchTime (Constitutional Law)
- Siegel's Constitutional Law
- Glannon Guide to Constitutional Law: Governmental Structure and Powers
- Understanding Constitutional Law by John Attanasio and Joel K.
Law school supplements can help students understand complex concepts, prepare for exams, and provide additional context and practice questions to reinforce their learning.
It is recommended to use supplements alongside your law classes to keep the same pace and cover the same topics. However, supplements can also be used to prepare during the summer before starting law school or to review topics after the class has ended.
When choosing a supplement, consider your learning goals and preferences. Some supplements provide a comprehensive overview of constitutional law, while others focus on specific topics or exam preparation. Read reviews, compare prices, and try to find samples or tables of contents to determine which supplement aligns with your needs and learning style.
