This seminar investigates competing methods for interpreting constitutional text. Students will explore alternatives within originalist methodology along with alternatives to originalism, such as common-law reasoning, moral readings, democratic themes, foreign sources, and judicial minimalism. Attention is paid to judicial decision making but other contexts also are considered. Discussions will cover justifications for treating ancient constitutional text as law, the formal amendment process, defenses of judicial review, and influences on judicial behavior aside from interpretive method.