Course Overview:

I. Introduction

A. Legal Reasoning/Political Decisionmaking

B. Introduction to the Legal Structure

II. If I am free, then the government should leave me alone.
If I am free, does that mean that the government can't help me?

A. Lochner v. New York ("Capitalism v. Public Welfare;" "Private rights v. public good")

III. If I need help, why can't the government help me?

A. Regents of the University of California v. Bakke

B. San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez

IV. If these are my opinions, why can't I say what I want?

A. Schenck v. U.S. ("Dangerous Expression v. Personal Freedom")

B. Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District ("Unpleasant Expression v. Personal Freedom")

V. If I own it, why can't I do what I want with it?

A. South Carolina Beachfront Zoning Case? Private Property Rights v. Public Access, Lucas v. South Carolina Coastal Council ("Private Rights v. Public Good")

B. Washington v. Glucksberg

VI. This is who we are and this is what we want to do. Why can't we?

A. Wisconsin v. Yoder

B. Romer v. Evans