U.S. Constitution: A Reader

The U.S. Constitution: A Reader, developed for teaching the core course on the U.S. Constitution at Hillsdale College, features 113 primary source documents. The readings, divided into eleven sections with introductions by members of Hillsdale's Politics Department faculty, cover the principles of the American founding, the framing and structure of the Constitution, the secession crisis and the Civil War, the Progressive rejection of the Constitution, and the building of the administrative state based on Progressive principles.

America's Founders created a form of government with no model on the face of the earth, as James Madison described it. The moral foundation of this government is in the Declaration of Independence and its principle of equal natural rights. Under the Constitution, government was to be limited to protecting those rights.

In recent decades, the way our government operates has departed from the Constitution. Government has become less limited, and our liberties less secure. At the same time, true civic education in America--education in the Constitution--has largely died out. Hillsdale College sees it as one of their highest duties to reverse this.

The Constitution, with its unique form of government, is rooted in the principles of the American founding. The framing and structure of the Constitution reflect these principles, which were challenged during the secession crisis and the Civil War. The Progressive rejection of the Constitution and the building of the administrative state based on Progressive principles have further distanced our government from its constitutional foundations.

Hillsdale College's The U.S. Constitution: A Reader aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Constitution and its role in shaping American government and society. By studying the primary source documents and the historical context surrounding the Constitution, students can gain a deeper appreciation for the principles that guided the Founders and the ongoing importance of constitutional governance.

The eleven sections of the reader, each with introductions by Hillsdale's Politics Department faculty, offer a multifaceted exploration of the Constitution. From the founding principles to the contemporary challenges, the readings provide a rich and nuanced perspective on the document that has been the bedrock of American democracy for over two centuries.

Hillsdale College's commitment to civic education and the preservation of the Constitution is evident in the creation of The U.S. Constitution: A Reader. As the nation grapples with questions of the role of government and the protection of individual liberties, this resource serves as a vital tool for understanding the enduring significance of the Constitution and the vision of America's Founders.

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