Law Lessong - The Takings Clause

The next installment in the “Law Lessong” series is The Takings Clause. The lyrics for this song were written by Alex Bansak, a student in my Legal and Ethical Environment of Business class at the University of Connecticut. Students may submit law songs for credit. In order to fashion a rhyming scheme that matches a melody, a student must carefully examine and distill legal principles and the language that expresses the legal principles. This video features Alex's performance of the song as he submitted it for credit and use in the class. The song helps students consider the legal and practical parameters of the Eminent Domain power.

Learn more about Law Lessongs from the post found here.  More videos may be found at my youtube channel. Please feel free to use them in the classroom or as assignments or in any way that they work for you as an educational resource.

Featured Website: Exploring Constitutional Law

The website, Exploring Constitutional Law is maintained by Doug Linder at University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Law.  Prof. Linder has compiled material on a wide range of topics.  In each instance, he has gathered case summaries and background information to assist the learning process.  Click on the images below to sample some of the topics explored. But also take the time to explore this website for you own classroom needs.

Thanks to Prof. Lender for sharing this fine classroom resource by posting it on the web.

Click on the image below of Estelle Griswold, plaintiff in the landmark case of Griswold v. Connecticut to explore the website section on the right of privacy. (source of image: http://www.abajournal.com/magazine/article/june_7_1965_griswold_v._connecticut_decided/)



Click on the image below of Susette Kelo, plaintiff in the landmark case of Kelo v. New London to explore the website section on the takings clause. (source of image: http://www.boston.com/ae/books/articles/2009/02/01/stealing_home/)



Click on the image below of Thomas Edison High School in San Antonio, Texas, the locus of the events leading to the landmark case of U.S. v Lopez to explore the website section on the Federal Power to Regulate Commerce. (source of image: http://saisd.net/schools/edison003/)

Law Lessong: The Ballad of Susette Kelo

This  video and song from a Power Point presentation can help students ponder the making and results of the US Supreme Court's decision in  the Kelo v. New London eminent domain case. I would also like to recommend Jeff Benedict's book, Little Pink House.  The book is a little light on the legal principles and procedures of the case, but is a a compelling chronicle of the way the law is used (manipulated?) to affect real people in tangible and profound ways.

Learn more about Law Lessongs from the post found here. See all law lessongs posted to date. More audio files are found at the Law Lessongs Website. More videos may be found at my youtube channel. Please feel free to use them in the classroom or as assignments or in any way that they work for you as an educational resource.