'A Supremely Political Court: The Making of a Justice' is Topic for Constitution Day Panel Sept. 17
In 2004, Congress passed a provision mandating that every school and college receiving federal money must teach about the Constitution annually. This year Old Dominion University will look back at the constitutionally shared power for the appointment of Supreme Court justices and use this historic appointment as the starting point for discussion.
Co-sponsored by ODU's College of Arts and Letters and Town-N-Gown, the panel discussion will begin at 7 p.m. in Chandler Recital Hall of the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Center, preceded by a reception at 6:30 p.m. in the center's atrium. A question-and-answer period will follow the presentations. The program is free and open to the public.
Former U.S. Congressman G. William Whitehurst, ODU's Kaufman Lecturer in Public Affairs, will serve as moderator.
The panelists and their discussion topics are:
- Martha Rollins, deputy city attorney for the city of Norfolk, "An Historical Approach to Supreme Court Appointments";
- Glen Sussman, professor of political science, "Shaping the Court: The President's Nomination Power";
- Jesse Richman, assistant professor of political science, "Advise and Advise or Consent and Consent? The Role of the Senate in Supreme Court Appointments";
- Lindal Buchanan, assistant professor of English and women's studies, "
Wise Latina Woman: Erasing Gender"; and - Joyce Hoffmann, associate professor of English, "From Bork to Blogs: The Media's Role in Supreme Court Appointments."
Elizabeth Esinhart, who directs ODU's interdisciplinary studies and teacher preparation programs, and serves as pre-law adviser and senior lecturer in political science, and Charles Wilson, vice provost for undergraduate studies and dean of the University College, will offer welcome remarks. Shimon Shetreet, visiting professor of Jewish studies and Dragas Professor of International Studies, will give closing remarks on "A Global and Theoretical Approach to Judicial Appointments."