The Constitution’s system of checks and balances between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches appears to be struggling in 2025. After 238 years does the Constitution need a tune-up?

We’ll begin the course by reviewing the 1787 Philadelphia Constitutional Convention background and dynamics, before turning to the Constitution itself. To provide context for amendment discussions, we’ll review the Convention and state ratification debates, how the U.S. has changed since 1787, and also consider the constitutions of some states and countries. Then we’ll select sections of the Constitution we feel require amending, and debate and vote on proposed amendments.

As at the Philadelphia Convention, you do not need a law degree to participate. We’ll need to consider two framers’ views: George Washington wrote that it was necessary to “probe the defects of the Constitution to the bottom and provide radical cures, whether they are agreed or not;” while Pierce Butler of South Carolina proposed to “follow the example of Solon, who gave the Athenians not the best government he could devise, but the best they would receive.”

The course will include both lectures and class discussions.