First Assignment

Origins of the Constitution

Spring 2009

In 1669, the Lord Proprietors of Carolina approved The Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina a document whose authorship is usually credited to John Locke. It is one of the earliest attempts to create a constitution in the American colonies. This particular attempt was ultimately unsuccessful because the document was not ratified by the colonial assembly, but it is an historically interesting example of early constitution making.

Review the document and then write a paper analyzing it as a constitution. For purposes of this paper, you will want to explore the sorts of issues we have discussed in class: Where does the authority to create and establish this constitution come from? What structures of government and law does it create? What rights, obligations, authorities or powers does it recognize? Your paper should also consider the ultimate focus of the document—is it mostly concerned with establishing procedures of government, legal protections for people, rights of inheritance, or something else? You should not just summarize the paragraphs in this document, your paper should be an analysis and interpretation of its contents.

Your papers should be between 5-7 pages long and double spaced. Use a traditional font size and standard margins. You should support your conclusions with references to the document, and citations to the text (in this case, it is probably best to cite to the numbered paragraph(s) you are referring to).

Your papers in class at the start of class on the due date. Papers turned in on the due date, but after class, will be dropped half a grade (ie, from A- to B+). Papers turned in a day late will be lowered a full grade (ie, from A to B). Papers turned in two days late will be lowered two grades (ie, from A to C) and so on.