The Alabama Constitution has more than 700 amendments, making it the largest governing document in the world.
A 45-minute documentary about the constitution will be shown March 7 at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. Following the documentary, a forum will be held and refreshments will be served.
"After the film screening, we are hoping to provide a discussion opportunity to all attendees," said Giovanna Summerfield, associate professor and director of the arts and faculty initiatives in the College of Liberal Arts.
The documentary incorporates actual dialogue from the 1901 Alabama Constitutional Convention.
"This is the first historical re-enactment of these transcripts and was created using exact words from the official proceedings of that of that convention," said Audrey Salgado, Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform president.
Actors in the documentary wear period costume, said Graig Baab, Alabama Appleseed Fellow.
"Even 100 years later, to hear grown men actually say the things they say about African American Alabamians is breathtaking," Baab said.
The documentary and forum are both open to the public.
"The documentary breaks down the constitution in an elementary format," said Austin Monk, senior in public administration. "It is geared toward making people aware of what is in the Alabama state Constitution."
The College of Liberal Arts is working with the Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform to present the documentary, Salgado said.
"I felt it was especially important for students to understand what their government is made up to be," Monk said. "What we all take for granted is how our government works. It is necessary for students to understand how governments work."
Baab, Monk and Salgado will serve on a panel to address questions after the film.
It was Monk's idea to have a discussion with students about the constitution.
"Looking at it from a student's perspective, the 1901 Alabama state Constitution limits the ability of the state in a means of providing consistent revenue sources and has created over 850 amendments since 1901," Monk said. "The film brings attention to how the state operates, but in a better, more efficient manner and in more responsive ways."
Section 256 of the constitution calls for separate schools for whites and blacks. However, since federal laws prohibit segregation, the Alabama Constitution is overruled.
"As you know, many of the amendments are obscure and unnecessary or allows discrimination toward African Americans," Monk said. "If it were not for the U.S. Constitution and federal law, those unfair amendments would still be enforced today."
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