The Evolution of American Federalism

Overview

Course No. 30670

Trace 250 years of power struggles between state and federal governments – from the Constitution to today’s Supreme Court battles.

This 24-lecture course with Professor Joseph L. Hoffmann examines how America’s federalist system has shaped:

• Civil rights and state sovereignty

• The Commerce Clause and economic regulation

• Due process and equal protection debates

• Pandemic responses and modern crises

Discover why federalism remains America’s most enduring political innovation.

Video Lessons

Foundations of Federalism (1-6)

1. America’s Great Innovation (31 min) – 2000 election case study

2. Shaping Politics (29 min) – Two-party system evolution

3. Nullification Battles (31 min) – Supremacy Clause conflicts

4. Taxation Power (29 min) – Spending clause implications

• National Defense (29 min) – Military vs. gun rights

6. Immigration (31 min) – Border control challenges

Economic & Legal Frameworks (7-13)

7-8. Commerce Clause (30/29 min) – Federal vs. state regulation

9. Federal Citizenship (29 min) – 14th Amendment impact

10-11. Equal Protection (30/30 min) – Civil Rights to discrimination law

12-13. Due Process (29/31 min) – Criminal justice to habeas corpus

Social Policy Battles (14-21)

14. Reproductive Rights (31 min) – Roe to Dobbs

15. Drug Regulation (33 min) – State vs. federal conflicts

16. Public Health (32 min) – Pandemic powers

• Environment (32 min) – Clean Air Act to California waivers

18-19. Voting Rights (32/33 min) – Suppression to redistricting

20-21. Minority Rights (33/33 min) – Women’s equality to tribal sovereignty

Modern Challenges (22-24)

22. Preemption Doctrine (32 min) – Conflicting laws

23. 10th Amendment (32 min) – State powers resurgence

24. Aggressive Federalism (35 min) – Contemporary resistance