News
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UT’s Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs to establish the Howard H. Baker Jr Award for Public Service
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) is proud to announce the establishment of the Howard H. Baker Jr. Award for Public Service.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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Is Public Education in Crisis? – with Jeb Bush, John White, and Rahm Emanuel
In recent years, our schools have faced unprecedented challenges from the pandemic and teacher shortages to debates over curriculum and student mental health.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.