PSC 101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Supermajority, Strict Constructionism, List Of Amendments To The United States Constitution

• School: UMassD
• Department: Political Science
• Course: PSC 101
• Professor: Kenneth Manning

Document Summary

Article v gives two methods to formally change the constitution. Constitutional convention (very rare)- 2/3 of states call for a legislatures convention and 3/4 approve. Don"t have to go through congress/govt. in washington. you can. Hasn"t been a constitutional convention since 1787 bypass congress to change the constitution. Custom and use- evolving understandings of constitutional standards and requirements. Constitution should be narrowly interpreted (original intent) Constitution should be interpreted broadly- if there is a misunderstanding, it should be interpreted based on contemporary standards and understandings. Example: lawrence v. texas, 539 u. s. 558 (2003)