Doing the Right Thing, Part 1 | America's Unwritten Constitution with Akhil Reed Amar

Akhil Reed Amar delivers a compelling and intellectually rigorous lecture on the role of conscience in constitutional governance. He presents a nuanced argument that challenges the conventional libertarian view of separation of powers, suggesting that the system is designed to filter out unconstitutional or unconscionable laws rather than simply to limit legislation. Amar’s analysis is deeply rooted in historical context, referencing the framers’ intentions, the Federalist Papers, and key constitutional provisions. He effectively uses examples such as the Alien and Sedition Acts and the sunset provision for standing armies to illustrate his points. The lecture is well-structured, with clear transitions and a logical progression of ideas. Amar’s expertise is evident, and he communicates complex concepts in an accessible manner without oversimplifying. The content is highly reliable, drawing on primary sources and established scholarship. The only minor limitation is that the lecture is part of a series, so some context from previous sessions is assumed, but this does not detract from its overall quality. The title accurately reflects the content, and the lecture fulfills its stated learning objectives. Overall, this is an excellent educational resource that provides valuable insights into the unwritten dimensions of the U.S. Constitution.

The title accurately reflects the content, focusing on the role of conscience in constitutional governance, particularly in the context of oaths and criminal justice.

9/10

The lecture is delivered by a renowned constitutional law scholar, Akhil Reed Amar, and is part of an official Yale University course. The content is well-structured, historically grounded, and draws on primary sources such as the Constitution and Federalist Papers. The presentation is clear and logically argued, with no evident bias or misinformation.

• 00:00Conscience and oaths of office
• 06:16Why the system divides power
• 10:20Laws the Constitution disfavors
• 13:53Special protections for criminal defendants
• 19:50Six checks against a federal conviction

• Yale Online Course: America's Unwritten Constitution — Official course page providing access to lectures and materials.
• Coursera Course: America's Unwritten Constitution — Coursera platform offering the course with assessments and certificate.
• YouTube Playlist: America's Unwritten Constitution — Full playlist of the lecture series on YouTube.

• The Federalist Papers — Primary source supporting the framers' views on separation of powers and checks and balances.