Overview of the
Constitutional
Studies Program
Purpose
Students and faculty in the Constitutional Studies Program examine
how constitutional rules affect political and economic processes.
By studying the theory, history, and development of constitutional
thought, students and faculty engage the issues and principles that
have been the impetus to constitutional government-natural and civil
rights, a market economy, a self-governing citizenry, voluntary
associations, and the rule of law.
Methods
1. Bring to the study of constitutional government the insights
of philosophy, economics, and history.
2. Clarify the connection between constitutional government and
the related ideas of liberty, virtue, free enterprise, and private
property.
3. Emphasize the major writings of the American Revolution and Founding.
4. Compare the American experience with constitutional government
with that of other countries, including current attempts at constitution
building in emerging democracies.
Goals
1. Train a new generation of young people to be constitutional scholars
through an intensive program of constitutional study.
2. Equip students with intellectual tools and understanding of constitutional
principles that will allow them to enter public life in a variety
of professions.
3. Establish a respected center for constitutional research and
writing through scholarship, academic conferences, visiting scholar
programs, and lecture series.
Affiliation With Utah
State University
The program is part of Utah State University's Institute of Political
Economy, a research institute whose mission is to promote a greater
understanding of the underpinnings of a free society. Its teaching
activities are conducted in conjunction with the University's Department
of Political Science.
Undergraduate Major
in Law and Constitutial Studies
In our experience here at Utah State university and at other colleges
and university, there is a real hunger among undergraduate students
to study the American founding and our constitutional heritage.
We reorganized our existing pre-law major to focus on constitutional
studies. This major will provide an excellent liberal arts education
to students wishing to establish the foundation for life-ling learning.
It will be especially helpful to students wishing to pursue careers
in government, policy, and law.
|
