New-York Historical Society’s Bonnie and Richard Reiss Graduate Institute for Constitutional History Spring 2023 Seminar
The New-York Historical Society is looking for applicants for their Spring 2023 Seminar! Please read full details below.
The Constitutional History of Misinformation
Meeting Dates & Times: Fridays, April 21 and 28, May 12 and 19, 2023 | 2–5 pm ET
Presented in person at the New-York Historical Society*
Instructors: Jameel Jaffer, Matthew Connelly
SEMINAR DESCRIPTION:
Misinformation has always played a large role in American history and history generally—but prominent judges, scholars, and many others believe that lies and half-truths are playing an especially significant and corrosive role today. In this seminar, we will consider developments in information policy, business models, communications technology, and First Amendment doctrine that may have affected our collective capacity to sift fact from fiction and to come to agreement about the world around us. We will explore whether and how a society committed to self-government should regulate false speech and what new institutions or legal reforms might help address contemporary information pathologies and help ensure an informed public capable of self-government.
INSTRUCTORS:
Jameel Jaffer is the executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University. Until August 2016, he served as deputy legal director at the ACLU, where he oversaw the organization’s work on free speech, privacy, technology, national security, and international human rights. Matthew Connelly is professor of history at Columbia University and co-director of the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy. His most recent book is The Declassification Engine: What History Reveals about America’s Top Secrets.
LOGISTICS:
The seminar will be presented in person* at the New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024, on the following dates:
- Friday, April 21, 2023 | 2–5 pm ET
- Friday, April 28, 2022 | 2–5 pm ET
- Friday, May 12, 2023 | 2–5 pm ET
- Friday, May 19, 2023 | 3–6 pm ET
Accepted students will receive further instructions and the classroom location within the New-York Historical Society.
*Although we encourage students to attend the class in person, livestream participation will be offered to admitted students who do not live in the New York metropolitan area or who are unable to attend a class in person. If you are interested in attending some or all of the class sessions virtually, please indicate this in your application statement.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
The seminar is designed for graduate students and junior faculty in history, political science, law, and related disciplines. All participants will be expected to complete the assigned readings and participate in seminar discussions. Although the Institute cannot offer academic credit directly for the seminar, students may be able to earn graduate credit through their home departments by completing an independent research project in conjunction with the seminar. Please consult with your advisor and/or director of graduate studies about these possibilities.
Space is limited. To apply, please submit the following material to ich@nyhistory.org by March 8, 2023:
- Your C.V.
- A short statement on how this seminar will be useful to you in your research, teaching, or professional development.
Successful applicants will be notified soon thereafter. For further information, please email Alexander Kassl at ich@nyhistory.org.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
There is no tuition or other charge for this seminar, though participants will be expected to acquire the assigned books on their own.