Episode 11.6: How an old Constitution applies to modern life

Question: How much do you think about the Constitution in your day-to-day life? What does the Constitution actually do — and how does a document written more than 200 years ago still guide modern life? In this episode, University of Idaho law (go.uidaho.edu/4bKmRec) professor Richard Seamon (go.uidaho.edu/4sLjYQo) breaks down the basics of constitutional law, from individual rights to how judges interpret the document. Along the way, he explains how the courts handle everything from free speech to new technology — and why understanding the system matters more than ever. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at [email protected]. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Power in You” by Matthew Cropper (go.uidaho.edu/4bW8zWz) via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (0:00) How much do you think about the Constitution? (02:49) What is constitutional law? (04:42) Five interpretive approaches (13:03) What happens when the Constitution is silent on an issue? (16:03) Applying the Constitution to new technology (18:40) Why amendments are so difficult (21:35) Why trust in the system matters (24:43) Common misconceptions about free speech (26:00) A reason for optimism (27:40) Final thoughts