Purdue University North Central will observe Constitution Day on Monday, Sept. 17 with activities offered on campus. The events are free and open to the public.
The day's schedule is:
Noon to 1 p.m. - PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 144 - "Constitutionalism" with Dr. Frank J. Colucci, associate professor of Political Science, at Purdue University Calumet. Colucci ventures beyond the Constitution to explore the nature of constitutionalism: the larger, dynamic conditions a society must possess in order for constitutions to endure. He examines what qualities in individual citizens serve to encourage constitutionalism, and he considers ways we as Americans can cultivate these characteristics of constitutionalism in others and in ourselves.
There will be time for questions, answers and discussion. Lunch will be provided.
Colucci's book, "Justice Kennedy's Jurisprudence: The Full and Necessary Meaning of Liberty "analyzes the constitutional vision of the U.S. Supreme Court's pivotal justice. His research has been featured in the "New York Times," "The Wall Street Journal" and "The New Republic." He is now working on a book detailing the background, decision and significance of Lee v. Weisman (1992), where the Supreme Court by a 5-4 vote found clergy-led prayer at a public middle school graduation to violate the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.
He has held faculty positions at the University of Notre Dame, Northern Illinois University and the University of Colorado. His teaching and research in the areas of American politics, constitutional law and political theory have been supported by the National Endowment for the Humanities, by the Institute of Constitutional Studies, and by the LeRoy Keller Center for the Study of the First Amendment.
He earned his bachelor's degree in magazine journalism and political science from Syracuse University and his master's and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Notre Dame. A Rhode Island native, he is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan.
11 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. - PNC Library-Student-Faculty Building, Room 144 - "Teaching and Learning about the Constitution, Bill of Rights and Declaration of Independence." Students from Dr. Jackie Covault's EDCI 361 Elementary Social Studies Methods course will present a variety of interactive learning activities about the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Declaration of Independence to illustrate and showcase how these three important documents have influenced and directed the development of democracy in the United States.
Guests may visit either or both Constitution Day events.
Further information about PNC Constitution Day activities can be obtained by contacting Dr. Michael Connolly PNC at 219-785-5618 or visit www.pnc.edu.
Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations should contact Connolly.