Constitutional Conversations

"Constitutional Conversations," the award-winning eight-month long examination of our nation’s founding document, continues.  Participants will be divided into groups.  Law students from William and Mary will speak on two topics targeted to those age groups.

Middle and High School topic - The First Amendment: Expression and Religion

Adult session - The Structure of the Constitution’s Protection of Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

The text of the Constitution contains few provisions concerning individual liberties. In part, this was because the framers believed that an enumeration of rights was unnecessary. The government they had created was one of limited powers. Government officials were not authorized to violate basic liberties. Additionally, many framers believed that the enumeration of some rights would lead individuals to believe those not listed were not protected. Despite this, a Bill of Rights, protecting individual rights, was ultimately drafted and ratified. During this workshop we will explore how the various provisions of the Constitution and Bill of Rights protect our most precious civil rights and civil liberties.

Constitutional Conversations is presented by the Institute of Bill of Rights Law at the William and Mary Law School, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Williamsburg Regional Library.  The Virginia Public Library Directors Association awarded it the Best Cooperative Program with Other Libraries or Agencies for 2010.  

Advance registration for this free program is encouraged, but not required.  Visit www.constitutionalconversations.org for more information.