The Idaho Humanities Council Presents

Controlled by Events: The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln
A Summer Institute for Idaho Teachers

July 9-15, 2006 • Albertson College of Idaho • Caldwell, Idaho
Made possible in part by The Whittenberger Foundation and the
National Endowment for the Humanities We the People program

In his letter of April 4, 1864 to Albert G. Hodges, President Abraham Lincoln reflected on the events that colored and dominated his presidency. "I claim not to have controlled events," he candidly acknowledged, "but confess…that events have controlled me." The theme for IHC's summer institute takes its cue from Lincoln's words.

Teachers will study the evolution of Lincoln's thoughts on the crucial issues that punctuated his troubled years: slavery and the Emancipation Proclamation; raising troops, instituting a blockade, suspending the writ of habeas corpus while the Congress was in recess; exercising the powers of commander-in-chief during the Civil War; the role of religion in politics; and critical judicial rulings, including separation of powers and civil liberties issues. Lincoln's decisions in each of these areas established important precedents for future leaders. Teachers will evaluate the legacy of Lincoln, universally considered to be one of America's greatest chief executives and characterized as the nation's "poet president."

The Institute will immerse teachers in study and discussion with some outstanding scholars. The lead scholars and designers of the institute will be Idaho State University professors David Adler and Ron Hatzenbuehler, who together will lecture on various themes and lend structure to the entire week. The keynote lecture will be presented by Matthew Pinsker, Chair of Civil War History at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, who will explore the "Lincoln Doctrine" and American constitutionalism in times of crisis. Other scholars include Lara Brown, professor of political science, California State University, Channel Islands; William Hine, professor of history, South Carolina State University; and Steve Shaw, professor of political science, Northwest Nazarene University. Special presentations include a Chautauqua presentation of Sojourner Truth by Kim Russell, Las Vegas, Nevada; Songs from a House Divided: The Musical Legacy of the Civil War, by William Rossiter, Kalispell, Montana; and a presentation on "Lincoln and Idaho" by David Leroy, former Idaho Attorney General and Lt. Governor.

Teachers interested in more information about the institute should contact the Idaho Humanities Council at (888) 345-5346. The application deadline is April 1, 2006. Teachers will be selected before May 1 and sent texts to read in advance. For other questions, teachers may contact IHC Fiscal Officer Cindy Wang at (208) 345-5346, or cindy@idahohumanities.org.

To apply, please send a typed letter to the Idaho Humanities Council in which you respond to the following questions.

Questions: (please list the questions and respond to each in narrative form)

1. Your letter should include:

• home address, home phone number, home email address
• school name, school address, school phone, school fax and school email

Please note to which address you'd like notification and other materials sent

2. Why do you want to participate in Controlled by Events: The Presidency of Abraham Lincoln?

2. List your current teaching assignment (grade, subject matter). Please be specific about the content of your classes, noting how long you have been teaching.

3. How would you use material from the institute in your classroom? How would you share it with colleagues?

4. If not selected for the 2006 institute, will you remain interested in attending other institutes and/or workshops on other humanities topics? What areas of the humanities interest you most? (Your response will help us define future institutes.)

5. Have you attended any previous summer institutes or workshops sponsored by the Idaho Humanities Council? Please list them.

Email your application by April 1, 2006 to cindy@idahohumanities.org,
or by mail to:
Idaho Humanities Council
217 W. State St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
Phone: 888-345-5346 Fax: 208-345-5347