Call for Papers, Presentations and Panels

Author: Department of History
May 11, 2023

“Rights and Wrongs: A Constitution and Citizenship Day Conference at San Francisco State University”

18-19 September 2023

At long last, it feels like the right time to again release an open call for papers, presentations, panels, roundtables, teach-ins, and workshops for “Rights and Wrongs: A Constitution and Citizenship Day Conference” at San Francisco State University. The 2023 event will take place on Monday and Tuesday, 18-19 September. It’s an opportunity to gather together with colleagues, collaborators, and comrades, along with activists, advocates, students, and community members from SFSU, the Bay Area, and elsewhere. It’s an opportunity to reflect on the rights and wrongs that influence and inform our lives. It’s an opportunity to listen and learn, share work, build community, and support social justice.

We welcome proposals on multiple topics related to rights, wrongs, constitutional law, legal citizenship, and social change. We are especially interested in presentations related to the 200th anniversary of Johnson v. M’Intosh, the 50th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, and the 50th anniversary of San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez, along with those that might help us deepen our understanding of today’s debates about constitutional rights and wrongs. Proposals (maximum 250 words) should be submitted by 12 June 2023 to marcs@sfsu.edu. We welcome individual and group submissions; for the latter, we encourage proposals that include presenters from multiple educational institutions. Be advised that most sessions will be scheduled for 75 minute time blocks to align with SFSU class schedules; this means that two 20-minute presentations, three 15-minute presentations, or four 10-minute presentions often work best; we can supply chairs/moderators on request. Please submit short vitas/resumes for all participants. Recommended topics include but are not limited to:

  • Abortion Rights and Reproductive Justice
  • Academic Labor Law
  • Affirmative Action
  • Educational Censorship
  • “Free Speech” and “Academic Freedom” at Colleges and Universities
  • Gun Rights and Public Safety
  • Judicial Ethics and the Supreme Court
  • Legislative Redistricting
  • LGBTQ Equality
  • Racialized Policing
  • Reforming the Supreme Court
  • Religious Exceptionalism in Law and Politics
  • Slavery, Freedom, and Reparations
  • Voting Rights

Sponsors: College of Liberal & Creative Arts, History Department, History Students Association, and Jamie and Phyllis Pasker Chair in U.S. History

For further information, contact conference coordinator Marc Stein at marcs@sfsu.edu.