Constitutional Law
by Anne Morris, 1L
CALI: Computer Assisted Learning Instruction
https://www.cali.org/
(Requires access code)
The CALI exercises are a group of online exercises a student can do. CALI divides constitutional law into specialized topics, such as Abortion and Standing, and then covers them individually. As a plus, the lessons only run about 45 minutes, so you can do one if you are short on time or more if you would like. Some lessons have questions for you to answer so you can test what you have learned from the lesson. The one downside is that you do have to register for the website, but that only takes a few minutes and it is free with the W&M code. Just come by the Circulation desk for the code and instructions.
Constitutional Law Audio CDs
John C. Jeffries, Jr.
KF4550 .A1 J44 2005
Law School Legends Series
This set of CDs will cover all of the big constitutional law topics, but in audio format. Its topics include Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review, Federal Power, Fundamental Rights, Equal Protection, and the First Amendment. These may be good for if you want to hear about these topics but you are not able to sit down with a book; thus, these are able to go on the go with you.
Constitutional Law (9th ed.)
Jerome Barron, and C. Thomas Dienes
KF4550 .B28 2013 (and online)
Black Letter Outlines
The Black Letter provides both shorter and more in-depth reviews materials for students. There is a shorter capsule summary provided for each topic, which students can quickly go through. However, there are also longer chapters with sections in them about the topics. Both of those are relatively short, but offer a more in-depth look at the topics and the legal theories behind them. Furthermore, there are also a mixture of multiple-choice and short answer questions, with answers at the back of the book. This series also provides a table of the cases it talks about; therefore, if you are looking for information about a specific case, this may be a good place to begin.
Constitutional Law: Principles and Policies (6th ed.)
Erwin Chemerinsky
KF4550 .C427 2019
Aspen Student Treatise Series
Chemerinsky’s treatise is probably one of the best known for constitutional law. It covers all of the major topics, and the important cases for the topics in detail. Chemerinsky accomplishes this by breaking constitutional law into its various topics and focusing on each for a chapter. Overall, the chapters itself may be a bit long, the individual sections within the chapter are not as long. So, if you're not looking to read about an entire topic, you can read a few sections and return to it later.
A Short and Happy Guide to Constitutional Law (2nd ed.)
Mark C. Alexander
KF4550 .Z9 A44 2019 (and online)
Short & Happy Law Series
This is a pretty quick read for anyone who might not have much time. Each chapter covers a different broad topic, but then breaks it down into more precise sections. The Short and Happy Guide takes readers through the important cases for each topics, talking about the holding, but also the important takeaways from the case and why this case is read. Even better, there is chapter with a list of ten exam tips, and, if you need a confidence boost, the last chapter is all about building courage.
Constitutional Law (31st ed.)
Jesse H. Choper
KF4550 .Z9 C56 2013 (and online)
Gilbert Law Summaries
The Gilbert series is probably one of the most well-known set of study aids. All of the major topics covered in your class are in it. The Gilbert is good for breaking concepts down into their most basic parts, before helping you build up your analysis. As a result, this book is useful for if you are unclear on a particular topic. This is also a great study aid because it goes topic by topic; if you are only looking for information about a specific class topic you can read that chapter and be done.
Acing Constitutional Law: A Checklist Approach to Constitutional Law
Russell L. Weaver, Steven I. Friedland, Catherine Hancock, and Donald E. Lively
KF4550 .Z9 A28 2010 (and online)
Acing Law School Series
Like other study-aids, the Acing books cover each of the major course topics. However, what it does differently is provide a checklist and problems immediately after each topic. The checklist appears similar to an outline, and may be a good first way to check your own outline once you have written it. The sample problems following the checklist are good short-answer questions for when you start studying for exams.
Inside Constitutional Law: What Matters and Why (2nd ed.)
Russell L. Weaver, Catherine Hancock, Steven I. Friedland, and Richard D. Rosen
KF4550 .Z9 I545 2015
Inside Series
This study aid measures up to most of the rest. There are questions about how to apply the materials to different scenarios, and clarification of some of the more difficult topics. Each chapter also ends with a summary of what has been covered. Along with the summaries, however, the Inside books also provide ways to understand how one topic connects with others.
Questions and Answers: Constitutional Law (3rd ed.)
Paul E. McGreal, and Linda S. Eads
KF4550 .Z9 I545 2017
Questions & Answers Series
The Q&A is good practice for exams, not for understanding course concepts. This book provides 60 different topics, and a number of short answer questions to test your knowledge. At the back of the book there are not just answers to the questions, but explanations for the answers. There is also a sample final exam which you can take, consisting of both multiple-choice and short answer questions.
Principles of Constitutional Law (5th ed.)
John E. Nowak, and Ronald D. Rotunda
KF4550 .Z9 N69 2016 (and online)
Concise Hornbooks Series
Principles of Constitutional Law is a small hornbook meant to help you understand different topics, not for testing your ability to apply the knowledge. This is useful for when you are confused on a class discussion, a certain test, or a case. It explains the typical material in great detail, but also in a clear and concise manner. You can use this in the early stages of your studying — when you are putting your outline together — as a way to double-check your understanding of the material.
The Glannon Guide to Constitutional Law: Individual Rights and Liberties (2nd ed.)
Brannon Padgett Denning
KF4750 .D46 2015
Glannon Guides
If you are going to look at the Glannon Guide for constitutional law, make sure it is the one for individual rights and liberties. It covers the topics that you are most likely to see in your first-year constitutional law course. Each chapter focuses on a different part of constitutional analysis. It also provides different ways to understand a lot of the structure any given analysis will take: for example, providing a table outlining the different standards of review under fundamental rights and the corresponding cases. The Glannon provides similar tools for each different topic and, within the chapters, there are questions throughout to gauge your understanding.