The New-York Historical Society’s Institute for Constitutional History (ICH), our partner on the New Essays in Constitutional History series, has announced its fall 2012 Robert H. Smith seminar for advanced graduate students and junior faculty.

The seminar, titled “Union, Race, and Nation: Creating the Federal Republic, 1776–1801,”will explore the origins of American constitutionalism from 1776 through 1801, from the years of Revolution to the election of Thomas Jefferson.

Designed for graduate students and junior faculty in history, political science, law, and related disciplines, this seminar will take place Thursdays in September, October, and November of this year at the New-York Historical Society in New York City. Applications are due June 1, 2012. Learn more below.

Union, Race, and Nation: Creating the Federal Republic, 1776–1801
Dates: September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 25, and November 1, 2012 (Thursdays) from 3–5 p.m.
Location: New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York City
Instructors: Peter S. Onuf and Annette Gordon-Reed

Description: This seminar will explore the origins of American constitutionalism from 1776 through 1801, from the years of Revolution to the election of Thomas Jefferson. We will explore the problem of union: empire and federal republic, the ratification debates and the development of political parties, slavery and freedom, state building, geopolitics and foreign affairs, and the Revolution of 1800. The assigned readings will consist of secondary works—some that provide an overview of the period under consideration and others that focus on specific topics and themes. We will also consider critical primary documents from that time including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Northwest Ordinance, and Jefferson’s First Inaugural Address.

Applications: Applicants should e-mail Maeva Marcus (mmarcus@nyhistory.org) a copy of their c.v. and a short statement on how this seminar will be useful to them in their research, teaching, or professional development.
Application Deadline: June 1, 2012.
More Information: Read the full announcement for more details.

This post first appeared on AHA Today.