Scholar Exchanges

Examines the amendment process outlined in Article V of the Constitution, reviews which amendments have been added to the Constitution over time, and introduces some that didn't make the cut. Features amendments proposed by the National Constitution Center’s Bipartisan Drafting Project.

Explores the influence of Ancient Greek and Roman governments on the framers of the U.S. Constitution in three key areas: the framers' early childhood and education, the Revolutionary War, and the creation of the Constitution. 

Examines what powers Congress has according to Article I of the Constitution, revisits some founding debates about Congress during the Constitutional Convention, and features a brief overview of Congress’s power at different times throughout American history.

Examines the powers and limitations of the Presidency outlined in Article II of the Constitution, revisits founding debates about the Presidency during the Convention, features a brief overview on how the Electoral College works, and covers a Supreme Court case that established the test for determining Presidential power.

Explores the role of the Judicial Branch as established by Article III of the Constitution and highlights the impact of the Marbury v. Madison case. Reviews how a nominee becomes a Supreme Court Justice, which types of cases reach the Supreme Court, and the process by which the Court decides cases.

Examines the actions of the British government that led the American colonists to declare independence (and be wary of strong central government). Reviews what the new U.S. government could and could not do under the Articles. Highlights some accomplishments under the Articles before chronicling the events that led to the Constitutional Convention.

Explores the origins of Bills of Rights and which documents inspired the Framers of the Constitution. Revisits the debates at the Constitutional Convention about whether to add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution and features a walkthrough of the cherished rights and liberties found in the first ten amendments.

Analyzes what “The Pursuit of Happiness” meant to the founding generation. Examines how the Founders pursued “happiness” and civic virtue in both personal and political self-government. Join the Founders’ pursuit of self-improvement and explore how their virtues can inspire citizens today.

Examines the civil rights and liberties found in the Constitution. Explores the concept of "natural rights", highlights amendments to the Constitution that feature civil rights, and reviews Supreme Court cases that address the scope of civil rights and liberties over time. 

 Reviews the compromises over slavery at the Constitutional Convention and examines the debates over slavery leading up to the Civil War, including the debate about whether the Constitution is a pro or anti-slavery document. Covers key events of the Civil War and features a review of the Reconstruction amendments to the Constitution. 

Features a brief overview of the Constitution’s Preamble, Articles, and Amendments. Highlights the importance of asking Constitutional Questions rather than Political Questions, looks at the different ways that lawyers and judges interpret the Constitution, and provides guidance for having constitutional conversations.

Sets the scene in 1776 by examining why America felt it needed a Declaration of Independence. Reviews some of the key passages included in the Declaration’s text and discusses ways the Declaration has been important over time.

Revisits the founding debates about how to elect the President of the United States, including the changes made to the original Electoral College by the 12th Amendment. Examines key Supreme Court cases about faithless electors, overviews how the Electoral College works today, and considers the arguments for keeping or replacing the Electoral College.

Explores the concepts of Federalism and Separation of Powers and how those principles work in our government. Examines the “Battles of the Branches” through a series of case studies, including McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Youngstown Sheet and Tube Co. (1952) and Biden v. Nebraska (2023). 

Examines the text of the First Amendment, and what types of speech are covered and not covered under it. Explore historic examples that test the limits of free speech, including the Sedition Act of 1798, Supreme Court cases from the World War I era, and the current Brandenburg test. Explore Free Speech rights in a school setting and features a number of key First Amendment court cases that involve schools. 

Examines the text of the Fourth Amendment and traces the changes in Supreme Court interpretations over time, including how developing technologies changed these interpretations and how the amendment impacts students in schools.

Examines the text (primarily the 1st and 5th sections) of the Fourteenth Amendment. Explores how the amendment’s promises of citizenship and equality have been interpreted over time, and how the protections of the Bill of Rights have been incorporated over time as a result of the Fourteenth Amendment. Reviews historic examples that highlight the key ideas of citizenship, (Wong Kim Ark case) equality, (Women's Suffrage Movement) freedom (Plessey v. Ferguson - Brown v. Board), and congressional power.

Explore Landmark Supreme Court cases by building your own docket! Select up to seven cases from the National Constitution Center’s Supreme Court Cases Library and review the facts of each case, the key constitutional question, and outcome of each case. 

Examines the complicated history of the relationship between Native Americans and the U.S. government. Explores what influence Native governments had on the Framers of the U.S. Constitution and features a "Triple Trilogy" of Supreme Court Cases that repeatedly consider the question of Native “Sovereignty.”

 Examines the story of the Women’s Suffrage movement - from the founding and Seneca Falls, through the effort during Reconstruction, and finally the next generation's push for ratification in the early 1900's.

Examines three key principles of the Revolution: Popular Sovereignty, Natural Rights, and the Rule of Law. Each principle is accompanied by examples from the revolution, including Enlightenment thinkers, the Stamp Act, and the Boston Massacre. Features an analysis of where these principles can be found in the Declaration of Independence.

Explores the Second Amendment's text and discusses the founding distinction between militia and standing armies. Examines the change in perception of the national military vs. state militia groups during the Reconstruction era. Reviews recent Supreme Court cases on the Second Amendment, including District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010), and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen (2022). 

Examines the key events of the Constitutional Convention, including debates over congressional representation, slavery, the office of the president, and whether to include a Bill of Rights. Explore how the Founders were able to compromise and create a new Constitution. 

Explores the history of voting rights in America–highlighting the Seneca Falls Convention, Reconstruction, and the Nineteenth Amendment to the Constitution. Reviews some voting rights issues throughout American history and features some notable voting rights cases that have come before the Supreme Court.

Examines the role that Women have played in the story of the Constitution and of America. Beginning in the founding era with Abigail Adams’ call to “Remember the Ladies,” this session explores key figures, events, and issues that demonstrate the impact women have made on America’s constitutional history.