Requirements
The Constitutional Studies Minor requires 15 credit hours of classwork (5 semester-long courses). To complete the minor, students must take a 3-credit gateway class and 12 additional credits from Constitutional Studies electives.
Course Requirements
Gateway (3 credit hours)
Students must take one of the minor's gateway courses (3 credit hours). These courses address core topics in constitutional studies, such as the history and philosophy of constitutional government, the American Founding, human rights, and contemporary constitutional issues in American and international law. Although encouraged, a gateway course does NOT need to be taken first.
The most regularly offered gateway course is CNST 50002, which focuses on the American constitutional tradition and its development from the founding period to today. However, all of the following courses will fulfill the gateway requirement:
- CNST 50002/POLS 30665, "American Political & Constitutional Thought" or
- CNST 50001/POLS 30661, “Constitutionalism, Law, and Politics I: Constitutional Government & Public Affairs” or
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CNST 30638/POLS 30707, "Foundations of Constitutional Order: Political Philosophy of Citizenship & Constitutional Government"
Electives (9 credit hours)
Three elective courses (total of 9 credit hours), which are grouped into the following themes:
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The American Founding and American Constitutional History
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Constitutional Government and Public Policy
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Comparative Constitutionalism and International Law
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Constitutionalism: History and Philosophy
The electives are divided for organizational purposes only. Students are free to choose whichever elective courses are of most interest to them. They do not need to take one class from each theme, nor do they need to take classes from only one theme.
Constitutional Studies regularly offers 1-credit courses, which focus on special topics or are taught by nontraditional faculty (visiting fellows or judges). If a student takes three 1-credit courses during their time at Notre Dame, they collectively can fulfill one of the 3-credit elective requirements.
Capstone (3 credit hours)
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Although a capstone experience (or course) may be reinstituted in the future, currently any elective course will complete this requirement.
How to get started in Constitutional Studies
Students interested in adding the minor should book an appointment with CCCG Associate Director Tyler Castle. If you are a current Constitutional Studies minor and want to discuss minor courses or requirements, you can book an appointment below as well.