Bill of Rights
Montpelier Weekend Seminar - Bill of Rights
During the ratification debates, criticism of the Constitution focused largely on the absence of a ‘bill of rights.' James Madison responded to this criticism by observing that the Constitution restricted the powers of the national government to those that were clearly defined. He also noted that any enumeration of rights was likely to be incomplete and thus leave important non-enumerated rights unprotected.
This seminar will examine the Federalist vs. Anti-Federalist debate on a bill of rights in the context of modern natural rights theory. In particular, participants will explore how Madison's position evolved between 1787 and 1789, and how he eventually became the chief architect of the Bill of Rights.
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Apply online for the Montpelier Seminars and take our free online course on the Constitution.
Bill of Rights Agenda
View a sample agenda from past programs. Though the actual schedule for future seminars may differ, the essential components of the program will remain the same.
Bill of Rights Seminar Readings
All reading materials are provided in advance of the Seminar; however, participants are not expected to complete all of the readings beforehand. A few key selections should be read in advance, but most of the texts will take on a greater significance when they are read and discussed as a group. A sample list of readings will be available online soon.
Seminar Scholar
David E. Marion, Ph.D., is the Elliott Professor of Government and Foreign Affairs at Hampden-Sydney College, where he specializes in Constitutional Law, American Public Administration, Public Policy, Jurisprudence, American National Government, and Constitutional and Historical Dimensions of Public Service in Americ. Dr. Marion is also the Director for the Wilson Center for Leadership in the Public Interest. Dr. Marion served as a scholar during the 2010 NEH Summer Workshop on "James Madison and Constitutional Citizenship" at the Center for the Constitution. Dr. Marion received his Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University.
