USD: Law: Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism

Upcoming Events

Hugh and Hazel Darling Foundation Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference

February 3 – 4, 2012

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.

Works-in-Progress

Ilya Somin (George Mason): "Originalism and Political Ignorance"
- Commentator: John McGinnis (Northwestern)
Jamal Greene (Columbia): "Fourteenth Amendment Originalism"
- Commentator: Michael Paulsen (St. Thomas)

Special Session on the Enumerated Powers (Papers 3-5)

Kurt Lash (Illinois): "Resolution VI: The Virginia Plan and Authority to Resolve “Collective Action Problems” Under Article I, Sect. 8"
Robert Pushaw (Pepperdine): "Obamacare and the Original Meaning of the Commerce Clause: Identifying Historical Limits on Congress's Powers"
John Mikhail (Georgetown): "The Necessary and Proper Clauses"
- Commentator: Jack Balkin (Yale)

Jennifer Mason McAward (Notre Dame): "McCulloch and the Thirteenth Amendment"
- Commentator: Mark Tushnet (Harvard)
Stephen Sachs (Duke): "Constitutional Backdrops"
- Commentator: Andrew Kent (Fordham)
Garrett Epps (Baltimore): "The Civil Rights Act of 1866 and the Fourteenth Amendment: The Case for 'Narrative Originalism"
- Commentator: Chris Green (Mississippi)

More Information

Originalism Works-in-Progress Confernece

Past Events

The One and Only Substantive Due Process Clause —Friday, September 23, 2011 The nature and scope of the rights protected by the Due Process Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments are among the most debated topics in all of constitutional law. Moderated by USD's Professor of Law and Director of the Center for the Study of Originalism Michael Rappaport, guest lecturer Ryan Williams will present and discuss his recent Yale Law Journal article titled, "The One and Only Substantive Due Process Clause." Guest Lecturer: Ryan Williams University of Pennsylvania School of Law George Sharswood Fellow Commentary by: Michael Rappaport University of San Diego More Information

Second Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference —February 4 – 5, 2011 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 Professor Steven D. Smith – University of San Diego School of Law Watch the Conference \| Listen to the Conference \| More Information

The Original Sense of “of” in the Privileges or Immunities Clause —Friday, September 24, 2010 Guest Lecturer: Christopher Green University of Mississippi School of Law Commentary by: Bryan Wildenthal Thomas Jefferson School of Law More Information	Christopher Green Bryan Wildenthal

The Debate Over Birthright Citizenship – A Constitution Day Debate —Friday, September 17, 2010 Guest Lecturer: Michael B. Rappaport University of San Diego School of Law Guest Lecturer: Michael D. Ramsey University of San Diego School of Law Watch the Debate \| More Information	Michael Rappaport Michael Ramsey

Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference —February 5 – 6, 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 Watch the Conference \| Listen to the Conference \| More Information

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 Commenters: 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