Module 5 – Justice and the Constitution

 What Role Does the Constitution Play in Justice?

The U.S. Constitution is often called the highest law of the land, but is it also the ultimate source of justice?

In this module, we examine one of the most complex questions in political and legal philosophy:

Does the Constitution deliver justice—or does it simply structure power?

 What You Will Learn in This Module

Across ten lessons, you’ll explore:

• The foundational design and purpose of the Constitution

• The reach and limits of the Bill of Rights

• How rights withstand (or crumble under) crises and emergencies

• The dynamics of federal vs. state authority

• The essential difference between civil liberties and civil rights

• How the people shape, interpret, and participate in constitutional law

• The potential for the Constitution to grow or stagnate in a changing world

• The formal process of constitutional amendment

• The power and politics of the Supreme Court

• What lies beyond text, in our hopes for future justice

 Why This Matters

The Constitution affects nearly every part of our society:

• Who is free—and who is restricted

• What rights are secure—and which are contested

• What powers government holds—and what limits exist

• Who decides what is just—and how

 Key Questions You Will Explore

• Is the Constitution living or final?

• Who truly owns the document—the people, the courts, or both?

• How do rights survive emergencies and crises?

• Can freedom and equality cohabit in our legal structure?

• Who has authority—state, federal government, or citizen?

• Can the Constitution adapt to modern challenges?

• Do amendments empower the people—or are they blocked by design?

 Lessons in This Module

• Lesson 1 – The Constitution: Blueprint of American Justice

• Lesson 2 – The Bill of Rights: Freedom or Illusion?

• Lesson 3 – Justice in Times of Crisis: Do Rights Survive Emergencies?

• Lesson 4 – Federalism and Justice: Who Really Holds the Power?

• Lesson 5 – Civil Liberties vs. Civil Rights: What’s the Difference? Why Does It Matter?

• Lesson 6 – The People and the Constitution: Who Owns the Law?

• Lesson 7 – Justice and the Future: Can the Constitution Evolve With Us?

• Lesson 8 – Constitutional Amendments: How Do We Change the Supreme Law?

• Lesson 9 – The Supreme Court: Final Arbiter or Political Actor?

• Lesson 10 – Justice and the Future: Can the Constitution Evolve With Us?

The Constitution is more than a document.

It is our shared promise—shaped by history, tested in crisis, and awaiting our next steps toward justice.