News Center: Calendar Of Events

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

Conference Overview

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 are interested in originalism are invited to attend. This conference is made possible through support from the Hugh & Hazel Darling Foundation.

Works-in-Progress

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



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

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


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

Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalsim Member's

• Michael Rappaport — Professor of Law and Center Director University of San Diego 
• Lawrence Alexander — Warren Distinguished Professor Univeristy of San Diego 
• Laurence Claus — Professor of Law University of San Diego 
• Donald Dripps — Professor of Law University of San Diego 
• Michael Perry — University Distinguished Visiting Professor University of San Diego
• Michael Ramsey — Professor of Law University of San Diego 
• Steven Smith — Warren Distinquished Professor

Conference Organizers

• Michael Rappaport — Professor of Law and Center Director University of San Diego
• Michael Ramsey — Professor of Law University of San Diego 
• Steven Smith — Warren Distinquished Professor

This event is free, but registration is required. For more information about the Originalism Works-in-Progress Conference or to register, please email Trang Pham or call (619) 260-4208.

About the Center for the Study of Constitutional Originalism (C–SCO)

Originalism is the view that the Constitution should be interpreted in accordance with its original meaning—that is, the meaning it had 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. For more information about the Center, visist the C–SCO website.