USD: Law: Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism

Scholarship | Upcoming Events | Past Events

ABOUT THE CENTER

Originalism is the view that the Constitution has a fixed and knowable meaning established at the time of its enactment. The Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism at the University of San Diego School of Law has as its mission the study of all aspects of originalism. In particular, the Center studies arguments for and against the originalist theory of interpretation, the variety of specific originalist interpretive methods, and the original meaning of particular constitutional provisions.

FACULTY SCHOLARSHIP OF CENTER MEMBERS

Authors of 115 Articles and six books on Constitutional Originalism
Michael B. Rappaport (director)
Lawrence A. Alexander
Laurence P. Claus
Donald A. Dripps
Michael D. Ramsey
Steven D. Smith

UPCOMING EVENTS

Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference

—February 4-5, 2010

Sponsored by the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism, the conference will involve the presentation of a variety of new works concerning originalism. All scholars who write about originalism are invited to attend.

Conference Organizers:
Professor Michael D. Ramsey – University of San Diego School of Law
Professor Michael B. Rappaport – University of San Diego School of Law

More Information

Originalism Works-in-Progress Confernece

PAST EVENTS

Public Lecture by the Honorable Antonin Scalia —September 2, 2009 Keynote Speaker: The Honorable Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice for the United States Supreme Court With: Professor Donald Dripps – University of San Diego School of Law Professor Michael D. Ramsey – University of San Diego School of Law Professor Michael B. Rappaport – University of San Diego School of Law Professor Steven D. Smith – University of San Diego School of Law More Information	Antonin Scalia

The Poverty of Public Meaning Originalism 25th Annual Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture — April 23, 2009 Keynote Speaker: Professor Jack Rakove William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies, and Professor of Political Sciences and of Law Stanford University More Information	Jack Rakove

Law and Judicial Duty — Friday, March 27, 2009 Guest Lecturer: Philip Hamburger Maurice and Hilda Friedman Professor of Law Columbia Law School Commentary by: Professor Sai Prakash, USD School of Law Read Law and Judicial Duty	Philip Hamburger

Does Summary Judgment Violate the Original Meaning of the Constitution? — Friday, March 20, 2009 Guest Lecturer: Suja A. Thomas, University of Illinois College of Law. Commentary by: Shaun Martin, University of San Diego School of Law. Download Professor Thomas's Paper	Suja A. Thomas

The Fourteenth Amendment and the Bill of Rights: What Have We Learned? Why Does it Matter? — Wednesday, January 7, 2009 Keynote Speaker: Michael Kent Curtis, the Judge Donald L. Smith Professor in Constitutional and Public Law at Wake Forest School of Law and one of the foremost constitutional historians in the United States. Other Presenters: Richard Aynes – University of Akron School of Law Donald Dripps – University of San Diego School of Law Kurt Lash – Loyola Law School Stephen Presser – Northwestern University Lawrence Rosenthal – Chapman University School of Law Bernadette Meyler – Cornell Law School Lawrence Solum – University of Illinois College of Law George C. Thomas, III – Rutgers Law School Bryan Wildenthal – Thomas Jefferson School of Law Commentors: Yale Kamisar – University of San Diego School of Law Mike Rappaport – University of San Diego School of Law Watch the conference \| More Information	Michael Kent Curtis

Leaving the Chisholm Trail: The Eleventh Amendment and the Background Principle of Strict Construction — November 7, 2008 Guest Lecturer: Professor Kurt Lash, the James P. Bradley Chair of Constitutional Law at Loyola Law School, is an expert in constitutional law, theory and history. Download Professor Lash's Paper	Kurt Lash

Originalism: Lessons From Some Things That Go Without Saying 24th Annual Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture — March 11, 2008 Guest Lecturer: Robert Bennett, Nathaniel L. Nathanson Professor of Law and Former Dean of Northwestern University School of Law. Watch Lecture \| More Information	Robert Bennett

Bernard Siegan Memorial Conference on Economic Liberties, Property Rights, and the Original Meaning of the Constitution — November 16-17, 2007 Keynote Speaker: Professor Richard Epstein Watch Keynote Address \| More Information

War Power Debate — February 12, 2007 Speakers: Architect of the Patriot Act, John Yoo, and USD Law Professor Michael D. Ramsey debated President George W. Bush's constitutional powers during the War on Terror. Watch Debate \| More Information

Inaugural Lecture for the USD School of Law Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism — August 30, 2006 Keynote Speaker: Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, Associate Justice for the United States Supreme Court More Information	Antonin Scalia