The study of the Constitution and constitutional law is of fundamental importance to understanding the principles, prospects, and problems of America. "American Constitutional Law" provides a comprehensive account of the nation s defining document, comparing how its provisions were originally understood by those who drafted and ratified it with contemporary constructions. The authors examine the constitutional thought of the founders, as well as interpretations of the Constitution by the Supreme Court, Congress, the President, lower federal courts, and state judiciaries to provide students with a sense of how the law has been interpreted over the years. Now fully updated, the ninth edition of this classic volume features several new cases including "National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius, Arizona v. United States, Caperton v. A. T. Massey Coal Company, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Perry v. Brown, Snyder v. Phelps, " and "Holder v. Humanitarian Law Project." Visit westviewconlaw.com for instructor resources, including recently decided cases, material from prior editions, and a glossary."