We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

Preamble to the United States Constitution


The Constitution of the United States is one of the most ingenious documents ever written. It not only shapes the government and society of the world's greatest superpower, but many other nations use it as a model for their own legal framework. The concept of inalienable rights and limited government is responsible for making the United States the freest, and prosperous nation in the world. 

The Constitution acted like a colossal merger, uniting a group of states with different interests, laws, and cultures. Under America’s first national  government, the Articles of Confederation, the states acted together only for specific purposes. The Constitution united its citizens as members of a whole, vesting the power of the union in the people. Without it, the American Experiment might have ended as quickly as it had begun.

Learn about the legal traditions and histories that contributed their powerful ideas to the Constitution, and learn what is written in this inspiring work of genius.

For free. For everyone. Forever.

With God, you can learn anything

Course curriculum

  • 01

    Welcome to your Companion Course!

    • What is a 'Live' Lesson Companion Course?

  • 02

    The Constitution of the United States of America - Lesson 1 - The Bible to the Mayflower Compact

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 1 - The Bible to the Mayflower Compact - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 1 - The Bible to the Mayflower Compact - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 1 - The Bible to the Mayflower Compact - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (9/27/21)

    • Lesson 1 - The Bible to the Mayflower Compact - QUIZ

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions - Responses
  • 03

    The Constitution of the United States of America - Lesson 2 - The Declaration of Independence

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 2 - The Declaration of Independence - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 2 - The Declaration of Independence - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America - Lesson 2 - The Declaration of Independence - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshal Connolly (9/28/21)

    • Lesson 2 - The Declaration of Independence - QUIZ
  • 04

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 3 - The Ideas that Made America

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 3 - The Ideas that Made America - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 3 - The Ideas that Made America - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 3 - The Ideas that Made America - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshal Connolly (9/29/21)

    • Lesson 3 - The Ideas that Made America - QUIZ
  • 05

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 4 - The Preamble

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 4 - The Preamble - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 4 - The Preamble - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 4 - The Preamble - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (9/30/21)

    • Lesson 4 - The Preamble - QUIZ
  • 06

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 5 - Article I

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 5 - Article I - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 5 - Article I - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 5 - Article I - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (10/01/21)

    • Lesson 5 - Article I - QUIZ
  • 07

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 6 - Articles II & III

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 6 - Articles II & III - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 6 - Articles II & III - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America - Lesson 6 - Articles II & III - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (10/4/21)

    • Lesson 6 - Articles II & III - QUIZ
  • 08

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 7 - Articles IV - VII

    • Live Lesson Discussion Questions

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 7 - Articles IV - VII - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 7 - Articles IV - VII - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 7 - Articles IV - VII - Live Lesson with Professor Connolly (10/5/21)

    • Lesson 7 - Articles IV - VII - QUIZ
  • 09

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 8 - The Bill of Rights

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 8 - The Bill of Rights - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 8 - The Bill of Rights - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 8 - The Bill of Rights - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (10/11/21)

    • Lesson 8 - The Bill of Rights - QUIZ
  • 10

    The Constitution of the United States of America Lesson 9 - The Amendments

    • Introduction

    • Resources for Students, Parents, and Teachers

    • Lesson 9 - The Amendments - LESSON PLAN

    • Lesson 9 - The Amendments - VIDEO

    • The Constitution of the United States of America - Lesson 9 - The Amendments - Live Lesson Recording with Professor Marshall Connolly (10/12/21)

    • Lesson 9 - The Amendments - QUIZ

See what others say about this course:

Timothy Pilarski

5 star rating

“Course was very informative , Thank you Professor Connolly!”

“Course was very informative , Thank you Professor Connolly!”

→Read Less

Wes Lee

5 star rating

“Professor Marshall Connolly does an excellent job with the study notes. The notes are clear and to the point, no wasted verbiage and they maintain one's interest. I believe Connolly's study notes are the best at COS.”

“Professor Marshall Connolly does an excellent job with the study notes. The notes are clear and to the point, no wasted verbiage and they maintain one's interest. I believe Connolly's study notes are the best at COS.”

→Read Less

Maria Sinicropi

5 star rating

“Very well prepared, planned and distributed. I enjoyed this course, thanks.”

“Very well prepared, planned and distributed. I enjoyed this course, thanks.”

→Read Less

Instructor(s)

Instructor Bio:

Professor Marshall Connolly has spent his life in service to God and the Church as an educator and writer. He is a graduate of the California State University system and has earned bachelor's degrees in English and History, as well as a teaching credential. He has completed additional studies at Whitman College, and the University of San Diego. His interests include science and apologetics and he writes on both subjects for Catholic Online (catholic.org), the World's Catholic Library.

He serves as the first Director of Education for Catholic Online School.

Professor Marshall Connolly

Director of Education