1L Constitutional Law Guide — Everything You Need to Know
Starting constitutional law as a 1L can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down what to expect, the topics you will cover, and how to prepare for exams.
What to Expect
Constitutional Law is one of the foundational 1L courses. You will learn through the case method — reading appellate court opinions and extracting legal rules through class discussion. Expect to be cold-called and asked to explain the facts, holding, and reasoning of assigned cases.
Your grade will likely depend on a single final exam, typically a 3-4 hour essay exam that presents fact patterns requiring you to identify issues, state the relevant rules, apply them to the facts, and reach a conclusion (IRAC method).
Topics You Will Cover
●Judicial Review
●Federalism
●Separation of Powers
●Due Process
●Equal Protection
●First Amendment
●Executive Power
Key Cases to Know
Exam Strategies
- 1Always identify the correct level of scrutiny before analyzing constitutionality.
- 2For Commerce Clause questions, determine which Lopez category applies.
- 3Standing is a threshold issue — address it first in any constitutional dispute.
- 4Distinguish between facial and as-applied challenges.