C13. Religion and the Constitution

This course will address the treatment of religion and religious beliefs under various clauses of the First Amendment. We will first examine the Establishment Clause (separation of church and state) doctrine and explore the increasing tolerance for religious expressions in public life under recent decisions of the Supreme Court. We will also examine how the Roberts Court’s embrace of religious rights under the Free Exercise Clause, the Freedom of Speech Clause, and the Religious Freedom Restoration Act are redefining the traditional separation between government and religious organizations as well as the application of nondiscrimination laws, health regulations, and the regulation of corporate entities.

ZOOM LINK: Available on website to paid and registered members

CLASS LIMIT: 95

INSTRUCTOR: John S. Ross, III holds degrees from Yale University and the University of Virginia School of Law and served as Adjunct Professor of Law at Washington & Lee University. He has taught several courses for WISE on constitutional law topics.

REQUIRED BOOK: Divided by God: America’s Church State Problem and What We Should Do About It, by Noah Feldman, 2006.ISBN: 9780374530389.