News

UT’s Institute of American Civics to host 125 teachers for TN Civics Academy

In a major initiative to strengthen civic education across the state, the Institute of American Civics at the University of Tennessee will host the Tennessee Civics Academy, a two-day professional development workshop welcoming 125 high school teachers from 85 schools across 36 counties. Held in Knoxville on June 24 and 25, the program will immerse…
IAC’s Busch’s “The Comeback” Details National Election

Marking more than 30 years of insightful political analysis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Professor and Institute of American Civics Associate Director Andrew E. Busch and co-author John J. Pitney Jr. offer a definitive account of the 2024 election in their newly released book, The Comeback (Bloomsbury, 2025). “The election of 2024 was both highly unusual…
Shuler and Stowers Join the Baker School’s Board of Directors

Knoxville, TN – Former Congressman Heath Shuler and Knoxville philanthropist Liz Stowers have joined the board of the Howard H. Baker, Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School), each serving five-year terms. Shuler, a native of Swain County, North Carolina, attended UT from 1991-1993 before entering the NFL draft and playing in…
Is Public Education in Crisis? – with Jeb Bush, John White, and Rahm Emanuel

Is public education in crisis? In recent years, our schools have faced unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and teacher shortages to debates over curriculum and student mental health. Test scores are down, and US students are falling behind their international peers. In this final episode of Season Six, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen…
The Institute of American Civics Inspires 59 Students to Explore Civil Liberties During Annual Tennessee History Day Competition

Knoxville, TN (May 8, 2025) – Recently, 217 students from across Tennessee participated in the 2025 Tennessee History Day Competition. Fifty-nine students chose to focus their projects on American Constitutional Liberties to be considered for a special award presented by the Institute of American Civics (IAC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The annual competition…
Can We Still Count on the Separation of Powers? – with Cass Sunstein and David Lewis

The U.S. Constitution established three independent branches of government and a series of checks and balances to keep any one branch from becoming too powerful. In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, and their guests, Cass Sunstein, a professor at Harvard Law School and former Administrator of the White…
How Important are Foreign Alliances? – with Rahm Emanuel and Michael Kimmage

As the global landscape evolves, the dynamics of power, trade and diplomacy are increasingly interlinked. Are alliances with other countries essential to U.S. safety, security, and economic success? Are we best served by an America first approach? In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, and their guests, Rahm Emanuel,…
Has Pardon Power Gone Too Far? – with Mike Nelson and Steve Vladeck

The power of the US president to pardon convicted criminals is enshrined in the US Constitution, but many experts have harshly criticized the recent use of presidential pardons and calls for reform have grown louder. In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, and their guests, Mike Nelson, professor of…
Can Government Work Better and Cost Less? – with Elaine Kamarck and Jim Capretta

Debates over both the role and size of government are as old as the country. Over time, presidents from both parties have attempted to streamline government, cut spending, and improve service delivery to varied degrees of success. In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, and their guests, Elaine Kamarck,…
Muhammad Explores Tariff Implications for the US Distilled Spirits Sector

The University of Tennessee (UT) Center for National Security and Foreign Affairs (NSFA) Affiliate Andrew Muhammad has authored a policy brief examining the implications of recent tariffs on the distilled spirits sector in the United States. Muhammad’s research indicates that revenue gains from tariffs on spirits may not outweigh potential losses to businesses and consumers.…