Andrew Koppelman
John Paul Stevens Professor of Law
Andrew Koppelman is a prolific scholar who has written more than 100 articles and eight books on constitutional law, political philosophy, and the intersection of law and religion. He holds the John Paul Stevens Professorship and has courtesy appointments in political science and philosophy at Northwestern. He received the Walder Award for Research Excellence from Northwestern, the Hart-Dworkin Award from AALS, and the Edward S. Corwin Prize from the American Political Science Association. He holds degrees from the University of Chicago and Yale.
Teaching Style
Professor Koppelman is a provocative and intellectually stimulating teacher who challenges students to think at the intersection of law, politics, and philosophy. He uses the Socratic method to push students beyond doctrinal comfort zones, frequently posing hypotheticals that test the limits of constitutional principles. He is direct and expects students to defend their positions with logical rigor. His interdisciplinary training in philosophy and political science gives his classes a distinctive theoretical depth.
Cold Call Tips
- 1Be prepared to engage with both legal doctrine and political philosophy in constitutional law discussions
- 2Think carefully about the tension between religious liberty and anti-discrimination principles
- 3Practice constructing and defending normative arguments about constitutional values
- 4Read his recent scholarship for insight into the kinds of questions he finds most interesting
Areas of Expertise
Education
- Ph.D., Yale University
- J.D., Yale Law School
- M.A., Yale University
- A.B., University of Chicago
Notable Publications
- Burning Down the House: How Libertarian Philosophy Was Corrupted by Delusion and Greed (St. Martin's Press)
- Gay Rights vs. Religious Liberty? The Unnecessary Conflict