CSAC regularly organizes professional development seminars for teachers that explore various themes and issues of the Founding era. These seminars are typically multi-day events that feature historical and pedagogical experts.
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CSAC Saturday Seminar for March 2021
Registration closed on 7 March 2021.
The Second Creation: Fixing the American Constitution in the Founding Era
featuring Professor Jonathan Gienapp (Stanford University, Stanford, CA)
Held virtually via Zoom
Saturday, 13 March 2021 (10:00am-12:00pm)
Americans widely believe that the United States Constitution was created when it was drafted in 1787 and ratified in 1788. With the publication of his book The Second Creation: Fixing the American Constitution in the Founding Era, Jonathan Gienapp upends this long-held assumption, recovering the unknown story of American constitutional creation in the decade after its adoption.
As Congressional leaders put the Constitution to work, many questions about the meaning and application of the Constitution were unanswered. Through vigorous debates they confronted these questions and began trying to fix, or resolve, an imperfect document. Their efforts have significant implications for current debates over constitutional originalism and interpretation.
Our virtual “Saturday Seminar” featured two presentations by professor Gienapp where he explores the idea that the First Federal Congress should also be considered a “constitutional convention.” Participants also had opportunities to discuss primary source materials associated with Professor Gienapp’s presentations.
Reading Materials:
Event Recordings: Presentations by Professor Gienapp followed by Q & A. You can turn on “CC” on YouTube to see captions.
Materials From Most Recent Seminars
The Idea of a Second Constitutional Convention
Held virtually via Zoom Saturday, 27 February 2021 (10:00am-11:00am)
- Agenda
- Documents referenced during the session: Aristides , An Old Whig VII
- Event recording with captions [You can turn on “CC” to see captions]
“A System to Last for Ages”: The Constitutional Convention of 1787
with Professor Stuart Leibiger (LaSalle University)
Held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, 13 February 2021 (10:00am-12:00pm)
- Agenda
- Presentation by Prof. Leibiger Part 1 [You can turn on “CC” and opt for “English (auto-generated)” on YouTube to see captions.]
- Reading 1. Debates on Impeachment
- Presentation by Prof. Leibiger Part 2 [To see captions on YouTube follow the steps described above]
- Reading 2. Delegate Letters
Slavery and the Early American Republic
Held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, 12 December 2020 (10:00 am-12:00 pm)
- Readings from session 1: Emancipation Documents from the Revolutionary Era
- Readings from session 2: The Founders and Slavery
- YouTube links to recordings of the seminar are posted below. You can turn on “CC” and opt for “English (auto-generated)”/ “English” under “Subtitles/Closed captions” settings on YouTube to see captions.
- Session 1: Slavery in Colonial and Revolutionary Eras
- Session 2: Slavery in the Early Republic
- Extra topics covered by Tim and John that were not included in the main seminar sessions due to time limitations. Follow the same procedure listed above to see auto-generated English captions.
Abigail Adams: A Portrait of an American Heroine
Held virtually via Zoom on Saturday, 14 November 2020 (11:00 am-12:00 pm)