What would be the best intro college course to take

[SkiGuy]

to learn about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, etc? Should I take a polisci class or US History?
Thanks

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. Political Science

would, I believe, be better, as the US History course would cover a lot of other things.

[GrpCaptMandrake]

2. I'd suggest

an undergrad Constitutional Law class.

Or you could pick up a copy (pretty expensive) of "Constitutional Law" by Lawrence Tribe. It's the be-all-and-end-all text.

[freesqueeze]

3. I'd Say Business Law

The viewpoint will be new but worth the effort.

[enlightenment]

4. History --

because you should understand the context as well as the content. Yes, you'll learn other things, but you'll learn other things in a political science class.

If you feel that you have a solid understanding of why the framers designed the Constitution the way they did, instead of just sticking with the Articles of Confederation; of why Tom Jefferson believed he had to write the Declaration the way he did (and why the other members of the newly fledged convention felt they needed to revise it prior to publication) -- then take the political science class. You'll get a more in-depth approach to the politics, and that's not a bad thing at all.

If, however, you don't feel that you could envision the world of the founders -- the society and the culture in addition to the politics, then consider the history class. They weren't operating in a vacuum, they were responding to the world they lived in; a rapidly changing world; and the documents they produced reflect that world.

Whatever your choice -- Good luck, study hard, ENJOY!

(and in full disclosure -- yes, I teach history.)

[Benhurst]

5. U.S. History. American political science is a waste of time for

anyone lacking a solid foundation in American history.

Having taught (history, as you might have guessed :7 ) I'm not a big fan of survey courses. Try an advanced course on the period or Constitutional law, if your college will let you. Whatever background you are lacking for such a course you can pick up on your own. Your professor can help you select additional readings.

You will enjoy an advanced course much more than a general survey course, and that holds true for political science courses as well.

If you don't want to take an advanced course, get one of your college's history professors to recommend a reading list for you.

[SkiGuy]

6. Thanks all!

So far, looks like US History is it. Been out of school for a while and never took any polisci courses. Just looking for a good introductory class.