"Originalism: Lessons From Some Things That Go Without Saying"
March 11, 2008,
6:00 p.m.
Peace & Justice Theatre, Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice
Reception Following
Robert Bennett,
Nathaniel L. Nathanson Professor of Law and
Former Dean of Northwestern University School of Law
The lecture will explore the possibilities and limitations of what is called "originalism" in constitutional interpretation, the attempt to restrain interpretation by reference to the constitutional text and the "meanings" originally associated with that text. There is a large literature on this subject, but rather little attention in the discussions thus far to things that the text leaves unsaid. The lecture will concentrate on three matters about which there are different sorts of "silences" in the text itself or in the interpretive stance of federal courts, the role of political parties, the meaning of a "republican form of government," and the role to be played by presidential electors.
For more information or to RSVP, please call (619) 260-6848 or email usdlawevent@sandiego.edu.
MCLE
The University of San Diego School of Law is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that this activity is approved for one hour of general credit.
More about the Nathaniel L. Nathanson Memorial Lecture Series