First Assignment Fall 2025
First Assignment:
1) Read:
a. Course Syllabus (Attached here and on Blackboard)
i. David Souter, Commencement Speech at Harvard University (2010)
ii. Scalia, “Originalism: The Lesser Evil,” 57 U. Cinn. L. Rev. (1989) Excerpt: 856 – 65 (Begin at “Let me turn next to originalism”)
2) Read the US Constitution in its entirety:
a. Available in textbook (22d edition pp lix - lxxiii or 21st ed pp lxi – lxxv) or read online at https://constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/full-text
i. Articles I–VII
ii. Amendments 1–27
3) Identify a part of the Constitution that you find vague, ambiguous, or confusing
a. Identify 2-3 different plausible interpretations of this clause. What might this clause mean?
i. How would Souter try to read this part?
ii. How would Scalia try to read this part?
iii. Of these interpretations, which do you think is correct? Why?
4) Are there any parts of the Constitution which surprised you to read?