The Texas Law community is invited to a Nov. 7, 2025 discussion of the third edition of “Fault Lines in the Constitution: The Framers, Their Fights, and the Flaws That Affect Us Today,” by Professor Sandy Levinson and his wife and co-author Cynthia Levinson.
Sandy Levinson, who holds the W. St. John Garwood and W. St. John Garwood Jr. Centennial Chair in Law, joined the Texas Law faculty in 1980. An expert in constitutional law, legal history, and foreign and international law, he has authored over 450 articles, book reviews, and commentaries throughout his career, including seven books on constitutional law. Cynthia Levinson, a former teacher and educational policy consultant, is author of numerous nonfiction books for young readers and is winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal , which is awarded annually to the most distinguished informational book for children.
Aimed at middle-grade readers, the first edition of “Fault Lines in the Constitution” was published in 2017 and traces current political features to their constitutional roots, exploring how the framers’ worldviews, intents, and debates affect our modern society. The third edition, released on July 15, 2025, has been revised to reflect political and social changes leading up to and following the 2024 election. It contains two new chapters on impeachment and secession, as well as a significant expansion of the chapters covering emergency powers and term limits.
The event includes two panels and will be held in the Eidman Courtroom (CCJ 2.306). The book launch panel runs from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. and is moderated by Ashley Moran, researcher and co-director of The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Law and Democracy. Alongside the authors, panelists include Justin Dyer, dean of UT’s School of Civic Leadership, and Katherina Payne, associate professor at UT’s College of Education.
The second panel, titled “Educating for a Shared Civic Future: Challenges and Possibilities,” takes place from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and is moderated by Meira Levinson, the authors’ daughter and a professor of education and society at Harvard University. Additional speakers include Jahnavi Rao, president of youth civic engagement at the nonprofit New Voters; Beth Rubin, professor of education at Columbia University; and Andrew Wilkes, chief civic voice and policy officer at youth civics organization Generation Citizen.
Texas Law students, alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to attend. The event is hosted by the Constitutional Studies Program.