On Friday, February 21, students from Professor Derek Webb’s Creation of the Constitution seminar at Catholic Law took part in a daylong trip to Philadelphia. The visit included stops at historic Independence Hall and the National Constitution Center, culminating in an enriching opportunity to meet Judge Stephanos Bibas of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The seminar offers an in-depth exploration of the U.S. Constitution's creation, focusing on the primary source materials and the spirited debates that shaped the nation’s founding document. “We examine several key stages of America’s first major national debate over the creation, ratification, and interpretation of the Constitution,” explained Professor Webb.

Students begin by analyzing the extensive records of the four-month Constitutional Convention, as captured primarily by James Madison. They then delve into the yearlong debates between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists, during which millions of Americans up and down the eastern seaboard argued over the newly proposed Constitution. Finally, the class examines the earliest constitutional controversies of the late 1780s and early 1790s, including debates in Washington’s first cabinet, the First Congress, and the Supreme Court’s initial cases.

“From the very start, Americans were passionately debating the kind of nation they were building,” Professor Webb noted. “And their disagreements were often quite intense.”

During their Philadelphia visit, students had the chance to experience historic sites tied to each stage of these foundational debates. At Independence Hall, they stood in “the room where it happened,” where the Constitution was drafted and signed.

Lucy Koch (2L) reflected on the experience: “It truly brought the class to life, standing in the same room where the debates that shaped our nation occurred. Walking among the life-sized bronze figures of the Founders at the National Constitution Center made it easier to visualize how the delegates interacted and negotiated.”

The group also visited the Statehouse Yard, where one of the earliest public speeches defending the Constitution was delivered to a vibrant, rowdy crowd. They explored the room where Pennsylvania’s ratifying convention approved the Constitution and stepped into Congress Hall, where the First Congress debated pivotal issues such as the Bill of Rights and the scope of presidential powers. Additionally, they visited one of the original Supreme Court chambers, where foundational cases regarding the new federal government were decided.

A highlight of the trip was their meeting with Judge Bibas in the National Constitution Center’s John C. Bogle Chairman’s Room, overlooking Independence Hall. Judge Bibas shared insights into his journey to the judiciary and discussed how understanding early American history can enhance one’s skills as a lawyer.

“Visiting Philadelphia for this course was an incredible experience that brought our classroom lessons to life,” said Alexa Cahill (2L). “From seeing the old Supreme Court and historic government chambers to witnessing the Liberty Bell and the site of the Constitutional Convention, the day was packed with meaning. One of the most inspiring moments was our conversation with Judge Bibas.”

Catholic University students and Professor Webb with Judge Stephanos Bibas

Felipe Mosquera Blanco, a Ph.D. student in politics, echoed this sentiment: “Standing in the very place where the American Constitution was debated was a privilege. After studying the constitutional process, being in the environment where the Founders worked gave me a deeper understanding of how the Constitution came to be.”

Through this immersive experience, students were able to connect their study of history with the places and people who shaped the foundations of American law, leaving a lasting impression on their understanding of the Constitution’s creation.