Professional Development Conferences Archive

Use the links below to access the handouts, packets, and power points used in previous conferences. Video recordings of conference sessions are also available for selected conferences.

2023

Exploring the Constitutional Worlds of Publius and Brutus

• Agenda
• John Kaminski-Presentation 1
• John Kaminski-Presentation 2
• John Kaminski-Presentation 3
• Discussion Materials
  • Publius and Brutus on the Nature of the Union
  • Publius and Brutus on the Separation of Powers
  • Publius and Brutus on the Judiciary
  • Publius and Brutus on the Bill of Rights

2022

The Bumpy Road to Ratification

• Agenda
• John Kaminski-Presentation 1
• John Kaminski-Presentation 2
• Discussion Materials
  • Pennsylvania-The Dissent of the Minority, The Carlisle Riot, The Harrisburg Convention
  • Newspaper Circulation, The Post Office Controversy, NC Election Riots, Coerced Ratification of Rhode Island

2021

A System for the Ages: The Philadelphia Convention of 1787

• Agenda
• Stuart Leibiger-Presentation 1
• Stuart Leibiger-Presentation 2
• Discussion Materials
  • Convention Debates on Impeachment
  • Private Letters from Various Convention Delegates 

The Antifederalists and the Idea of a Second Constitutional Convention

• Agenda
• John Kaminski- The Idea of a Second Constitutional Convention
• Discussion Materials
  • Old Whig VII
  • Aristides

Second Creation: Fixing the Constitution in the Founding Era

• Agenda
• Jonathan Gienapp-Presentation 1
• Jonathan Gienapp-Presentation 2
• Discussion Materials
  • The Congressional Debates over the US Bank
  • The Congressional Debates over Executive Officers

The Role of Religion in the Revolutionary War

• Agenda
• Jeffry Morrison-Presentation
• Discussion Materials
  • On Rebellion: Comparing Jonathan Mayhew and Thomas Paine
  • On Rebellion: Comparing John Witherspoon, Samuel West

The Role Of Religion in the Ratification Debates

• Agenda
• Discussion Materials
  • Religious Rhetoric Used During the Ratification Debates
  • Constitutional Issues Regarding Religion During the Ratification Debates

The Role of Religion in the Early Republic

• Agenda
• Discussion Materials
  • Timothy Dwight: The Duty of Americans, at the Present Crisis, 1798
  • Selected Letters from Presidents to Religious Groups, 1790-1802

2020

Slavery In the Early American Republic

• John Kaminski’s Presentation on Slavery in Colonial and Revolutionary Eras
• John Kaminski’s Presentation on Slavery in the Early Republic
• Discussion Materials
  • Emancipation Documents from the Revolutionary Era
  • The Founders and Slavery

Abigail Adams: A Portrait of an American Heroine

• John Kaminski’s Presentation on Abigail Adams
• Discussion Materials
  • Abigail Adams Correspondences with Thomas Jefferson

2019

• Institute on the American Founding Period
• The Origins, Politics, and Legacy of Slavery in American History
• An Intimate Portrait of the Founders

2018

• Foreign Policy of the Early Republic
• Role of Religion in Early America
• Institute on the American Founding Period

2017

• The Role and Legacy of George Washington and the Founding of the American Republic
• Institute on the American Founding Period

2016

• Institute on the American Founding Period
• Alexander Hamilton: From Obscurity to Greatness
• Expanding Consent and Liberty: Constitutionalizing the Declaration of Independence

2015

• The Legislative Branch: Historical Context and Contemporary Challenges
• Institute on the American Founding Period
• Colonial Constitutionalism: A Study of Contested Sovereignty
• The Independent Judiciary: Historical Context and Contemporary Challenges

2014

• The Nature, Extent, and Challenges of Executive Power
• Institute on the American Founding Period
• The Personalities, Character, and Rhetoric of Washington and Jefferson

2013

• Institute on the American Founding Period

2012

• Limiting and Regulating the First Amendment
• Institute on the American Founding Period

2011

• Rights: Past, Present, and Future
• The Challenges of Interpreting the Constitution