Notre Dame Con Studies Public Lecture Series

About Notre Dame Con Studies Public Lecture Series

Welcome to the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government! The Center aims to explore the fundamental principles and practices of a free society so that citizens and civic leaders are equipped to secure our God-given natural rights, exercise the responsibilities of self-government, and pursue the common good. One of the ways we pursue our mission is by welcoming scholars and practitioners in the civic government space to the University of Notre Dame to discuss their research, their work, and the history of our field. Learn more at https://constudies.nd.edu/

Publisher

Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government

Category

government

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 Jun 2025

Latest episode

21 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

38 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Responsibility vs. Red Tape | Phillip Howard | Notre Dame CCCG

   Can America's governing institutions still solve big problems, or has red tape replaced responsibility? In this lecture at the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, Philip K. Howard, lawyer, civic leader, founder of Common Good, and author of "Saving Can Do: How to Revive the Spirit of America," argues that excessive regulation, legal complexity, and bureaucratic micromanagement have undermined America's ability to govern effectively. Drawing on examples from education, infrastructure, environmental regulation, public administration, and constitutional government, Howard makes the case for replacing what he calls the "red tape state" with a system built on human responsibility, practical judgment, and principles-based governance. The discussion explores the relationship between law and human agency, the limits of bureaucratic processes, the importance of institutional leadership, and the role that civic renewal can play in addressing political polarization and restoring public trust. Howard also introduces his proposed "Green Light" initiative, which seeks to revive a culture of responsibility and empower leaders, citizens, and institutions to solve problems more effectively. Topics include: • The rise of the modern regulatory state • Why excessive rules can undermine accountability • Infrastructure, permitting, and government efficiency • Public-sector unions and institutional management • Education reform and school culture • Human judgment versus legal micromanagement • Constitutional government and principles-based leadership • Political polarization and civic renewal • Alexis de Tocqueville and the American tradition of self-government • The "Green Light" vision for governance reform Speaker: • Philip K. Howard, Founder and Chair, Common Good; Author of "The Death of Common Sense" and "Saving Can Do" Hosted by: • The Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/ *** The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government.#PhilipKHoward #ConstitutionalGovernment #NotreDame

2. 

   15 Oct 2026

   2025-26 SCOTUS Recap | Constitution Day | Notre Dame CCCG

   What were the most important decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court this term, and what major cases should Americans be watching next? In this Constitution Day event hosted by the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, Professor Richard Garnett and Professor Derek Muller provide an accessible and insightful review of recent Supreme Court decisions, emerging legal trends, and the cases likely to shape the Court's upcoming term. The discussion explores major rulings involving election law, voting rights, campaign finance, free speech, religious liberty, federalism, executive authority, and constitutional interpretation. The speakers also examine several cases pending before the Court and discuss how constitutional principles such as separation of powers, federalism, and individual rights continue to influence American public life. Topics include: • The Supreme Court's most consequential decisions from the recent term • Voting Rights Act and redistricting litigation • Campaign finance and political speech • Free speech and viewpoint discrimination • Religious liberty and church-state questions • Executive power and administrative agencies • Federalism and the separation of powers • Election law and voter registration disputes • Second Amendment jurisprudence • Constitutional challenges involving tariffs, climate litigation, and federal regulation • Key cases to watch in the upcoming Supreme Court term • Understanding how the Court operates beyond headline-making cases Hosted in observance of Constitution Day, this event highlights the importance of constitutional literacy and civic education while helping audiences better understand the Supreme Court's role in American government. Speakers: • Richard W. Garnett, Notre Dame Law School • Derek T. Muller, Notre Dame Law School Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/ *** The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government. #SupremeCourt #ConstitutionDay #NotreDame

3. 

   21 Sept 2026

   25 Years After 9/11 | Jeanie Poole O'Shaughnessy Memorial Lecture | Notre Dame CCCG

   How should Americans remember September 11, 2001, twenty-five years later? In this special lecture hosted by the Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government, a distinguished panel reflects on the events of 9/11, the national response that followed, and the lessons that future generations should carry forward. Panelists share personal memories of the day, discuss the heroism displayed by first responders and ordinary citizens, reflect on America's response at home and abroad, and consider what 9/11 means for citizenship, leadership, faith, public service, and national unity. Speakers include: • Justice Brett Kavanaugh, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States • Rev. Edward A. Malloy, C.S.C., President Emeritus of the University of Notre Dame • James J. Dunn, Vice Chairman and Senior Managing Principal of Piper Sandler and co-founder of Sandler O'Neill • Jennie Bradley Lichter '04, former President of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund Moderated by: • Phillip Muñoz, Director, Notre Dame Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government Topics include: • Personal memories of September 11, 2001 • The attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93 • Leadership during national crisis • First responders and acts of heroism • Faith, resilience, and public service• The national unity that followed 9/11 • The War on Terror and its legacy • Educating new generations about September 11 • Citizenship, sacrifice, and American civic life This lecture was presented as the Jeanie Poole O'Shaughnessy Memorial Lecture at the University of Notre Dame. Visit the Center for Citizenship & Constitutional Government: https://constudies.nd.edu/ ***The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the University of Notre Dame, the College of Arts and Letters, or the Center for Citizenship and Constitutional Government. #September11 #NeverForget #NotreDame

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