Requirements
The Constitutional Studies Minor requires 15 credit hours of classwork
To complete the minor, students must take the 3-credit gateway class and 12 additional credits from Constitutional Studies electives.
Courses
Gateway (3 credit hours)
Students must take one of the minor's two 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
- CNST 50001/POLS 30661, “Constitutionalism, Law, and Politics I: Constitutional Government & Public Affairs” or
- CNST 50002/POLS 30665, "Constitutionalism, Law, and Politics II: American Constitutionalism"
Electives (9 credit hours)
Three elective courses (total of 9 credit hours), which are grouped into the following themes:
- The American Founding and American Constitutional History
- Constitutional Government and Public Policy
- Comparative Constitutionalism and International Law
- Constitutionalism: History and Philosophy
The electives are divided for structural purposes only. Students do not need to take one class from each theme. Students do not need to take classes from only one theme.
Students may take any electives from the electives list, no matter the theme.
Capstone experience (3 credit hours)
- Currently, an additional elective course will complete this requirement
How to get started in Constitutional Studies
Students interested in the minor should book an appointment with Dr. Deborah O'Malley here.
Studying Abroad
Depending on a student’s class level, studying abroad should not interfere with completing the minor. While preparing to study abroad, a student may identify courses that are available that align with the minor; please provide a course description and/or syllabus to Dr. Deborah O'Malley (domalle2@nd.edu) for approval. An additional form may also be required, depending on the academic program.
Multi-Counting and Cross-counting a Course
A student seeking an Arts and Letters degree is allowed to count one and the same course to satisfy a university requirement, a college requirement, and a program requirement (major, supplementary major, minor). A multi-counted course can be used no more than once at each level (university, college, program). There is no limit to the number of multi counts a student may use in their degree.
Students may cross-count (i.e. use one and the same course to satisfy two requirements in two different programs that require the same or similar courses). This course must be replaced by another course in one of the programs (= “Waive and Replace”). See this policy for more information.