This course examines how America's system of democratic checks and balances has functioned in our history, and how it appears threatened today as never before. Topics include: the rise of presidential power over war making, and Congress's fitful efforts to reclaim this authority; Congress's onetime dominance, driven by powerful Speakers and long standing committee chairs, giving way recently to hyper-partisanship and declining law-drafting and oversight; power struggles between the Supreme Court and presidents from Jefferson and Jackson to FDR; and Trump’s drive to control, and perhaps destroy, the semi-independent administrative state.  Up for discussion is what the Founders got right, what problems they failed to anticipate, and what reforms are needed to restore balance to our Constitutional system. Registering at least 3 weeks prior to the course start date is highly recommended.
 
Continuing Education Units (CEU) : 0

You'll walk away with

• A deeper understanding of how America’s system of checks and balances has evolved, including the shifting roles of Congress, the presidency, and the courts.
• Insight into the constitutional challenges posed by hyper-partisanship, expanding executive power, and tensions with the administrative state.
• The ability to critically assess the Founders’ design, identify gaps in the system, and evaluate potential reforms to strengthen democratic governance.

Ideal for

• All members of the community—working, retired, and in between
• Those seeking to contextualize historical or contemporary political events