Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens

FAIN: ES-250898-16

Center for Civic Education (Calabasas, CA 91302-1441)
William F. Harris (Project Director: February 2016 to July 2018)

A three-week summer institute for twenty-five schoolteachers on the principles of American constitutionalism.

The Center for Civic Education proposes to conduct a Summer Institute on "Political and Constitutional Theory for Citizens: The National Academy for Civics and Government" for 25 participants in the summer of 2017. This Summer Institute, like its predecessors, is based on the perspective that all citizens of the United States, under the Constitution, can and must acquire a capacity to think theoretically about the nature of democracy and constitutionalism. William F. Harris, II of the University of Pennsylvania, who was the founding director of the Center for the Constitution at James Madison's Montpelier, will lead the institute. He has served as the academic director of the last 15 of the Center for Civic Education's Summer Institutes. Three eminent scholars of constitutional theory will serve as faculty as well. In addition, three master teachers will provide instruction in educational applications, with assistance from the staff of the Center.