Back to Calendar
Professional Learning Opportunities

Summer Intensive: Deep Dive into the History of the U.S. Constitution

Date
Sunday, June 22 - Friday, June 27
Time
All Day

This weeklong summer intensive is presented by the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, the National Constitution Center (NCC) and the Organization of American Historians (OAH).

Application Criteria
This intensive is open to all social studies educators who currently work in sixth–12th grade classrooms who have an interest in learning more about the history of the U.S. Constitution.

Participants will be responsible for pre-reading assignments prior to the start of the intensive. This will include book chapters, academic articles, and additional scholarly readings. Participants will also be responsible for completing readings throughout the course of the week, in addition to the schedule of scholar talks, panel discussions, and time at cultural institutions.

Dates
Sunday, June 22-Friday, June 27

Highlights

  • Attend an opening night panel discussion with Intensive faculty, including NCC President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen, OAH President David Blight, and Yale Law professor Akhil Amar that will help set the stage for the week. Please note: This program is also open to the general public and will be livestreamed.
  • Hear from constitutional scholars, legal experts, and historians as they discuss key components of constitutional history and ask questions about relevant topics today.
  • Examine the drafting of the Constitution, its development as the national charter down to the Civil War, its re-imagining during Reconstruction’s “second founding,” and the history of some of the most important caselaw over time, especially Supreme Court decisions.
  • Learn about the origins of, questions about, and modern interpretations of the U.S. Constitution through intensive sessions throughout the week.
  • Explore the Center’s exhibit spaces and visit cultural institutions and historic sites around Old City Philadelphia, contemplating meaningful ways to bring those experiences back to the classroom.

Cost
The Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy will provide a stipend to cover the cost of travel and lodging for all participants, as well as breakfasts, lunches, and dinners on both the opening night and closing night. Ticket costs associated with visiting cultural institutions around Old City Philadelphia will also be covered. All other costs are the responsibility of the participant.

Apply Here

Applications are open until March 26.