Michael Badnarik - Constitution Class Parts 1-7 (full)

Michael Badnarik’s Constitution Class is an eight-hour course divided into seven parts, designed for everyday Americans to gain a practical understanding of the U.S. Constitution.

The class begins with an introduction to the purpose and structure of the Constitution, emphasizing why citizens must understand it, reviewing the Preamble, and explaining key concepts such as natural rights, limited government, and separation of powers.

In the second part, the focus shifts to the difference between individual rights and government-granted privileges, with a close examination of the first ten amendments in the Bill of Rights and real-world examples of rights infringements.

The third part covers Article I, the legislative branch, discussing the role and powers of Congress, enumerated versus implied powers, the Necessary and Proper Clause, and limitations on legislative authority.

Part four addresses Article II, the executive branch, explaining the powers and duties of the President, including Commander-in-Chief authority, veto power, appointments, treaties, and the system of checks and balances.

The fifth part focuses on Article III, the judicial branch, describing the structure and powers of the federal judiciary, Supreme Court jurisdiction, judicial review, lifetime appointments, and the separation of powers in practice.

Part six covers amendments and citizen responsibilities, explaining how amendments are proposed and ratified, reviewing key amendments beyond the Bill of Rights, and emphasizing the role of citizens in preserving constitutional rights, with historical examples illustrating the impact of amendments.

The final part, part seven, addresses applying the Constitution today through case studies of landmark Supreme Court decisions, identifying unconstitutional government actions, practical applications for everyday citizens, and strategies for advocating for rights and engaging with government.

By the end of the course, students are expected to understand the Constitution in full context, recognize individual rights and government limitations, and be able to apply constitutional principles in real-world situations.