Saint Leo University’s Department of Criminal Justice will once again hold its Summer Institute seminar program with four days of programming devoted to discussion of “The Constitution, Social Justice, and Modern America.”

Saint Leo University Offers Free Seminar Over Four Days on Multiple Constitutional Amendments

The 2021 Summer Institute is scheduled for Monday, July 19, through Thursday, July 22, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Admission is free and open to the public as a service provided by Saint Leo University. For most people, participation will take place online over Zoom.

Criminal justice faculty and guest speakers will delve deeply into several constitutional amendments and the contemporary discussions and legal arguments about how the amendments are interpreted. Pertinent cases that established legal precedents in constitutional matters will be discussed as well. The content is of possible interest to those who might be considering a career in the justice or legal system; those employed in or retired from law enforcement; and staff or members of advocacy groups.

The seminar will concentrate on these particular amendments:

• The First Amendment right of the people to demonstrate and exercise free speech
• The Second Amendment right to own a weapon
• The Fourth Amendment right to be free from unreasonable search and seizure
• The Fifth and Sixth Amendments, which form the basis of Miranda rights
• The Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment
• The 14th Amendment provisions requiring equal treatment of people under the law and due process

Those who attend will be issued a certificate upon completion of the seminar. To sign up, email nikki.heister@saintleo.edu with the words 2021 Summer Institute in the email’s subject line to request the appropriate Zoom registration link.

Those who want to explore the topic in even greater depth and receive academic credit for it from Saint Leo University must also register for either the undergraduate-level CRM-300 or graduate-level CRJ-500 special topics course called The Constitution. The credit-bearing option overlaps with the seminar and is listed among the academic offerings available during Saint Leo’s Summer 2 term. Those seeking credit will pay normal tuition and be able to attend the seminar classes in person, with social distancing protocols in place. The instructor of record for the course is Assistant Professor Joseph Cillo. For more information on the for-credit option, the same Saint Leo representative can be reached at nikki.heister@saintleo.edu or by phone at (352) 588-8487.

Those who require accommodations to take part are asked to email adaoffice@saintleo.edu.

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is one of the largest Catholic universities in the nation, offering 57 undergraduate and graduate-level degree programs to more than 18,200 students each year. Founded in 1889 by Benedictine monks, the private, nonprofit university is known for providing a values-based education to learners of all backgrounds and ages in the liberal arts tradition. Saint Leo is regionally accredited and offers a residential campus in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, 16 education centers in five states, and an online program for students anywhere. The university is home to more than 98,000 alumni. Learn more at saintleo.edu.

Media contact only: Jo-Ann Johnston, Saint Leo University academic communications manager, at jo-ann.johnston@saintleo.edu or (352) 467-0843 (cell or text).