Teachers study political history and U.S. Constitution at summer institute

Twenty-five history and government teachers from throughout Idaho attended IHC's summer institute in July on the theme of "Paradox Politics: Idaho Political History Since World War II." Held on the campus of Albertson College, the institute involved some of the region's finest scholars, as well as such special presenters as former Governor Cecil Andrus and former Senator James McClure.

Scholars included Northwest Nazarene Political Science Professor Steve Shaw, University of Idaho History Professor Kathy Aiken, Boise State University History Professor Emeritus Robert Sims, Washington State University History Professor Leroy Ashby, Boise State University Political Science Professor John Freemuth, Utah State University History Professor Emeritus Ross Peterson, Idaho State University Political Science Professor David Adler, and journalist Mark Trahant. Idaho Statesman columnist Dan Popkey, Associate Press reporter Bob Fick, and Paradox Politics author Randy Stapilus offered a panel discussion on writing about Idaho politics. State Representative Steve Smylie made a special presentation about his father, Gov. Robert E. Smylie, who served as Idaho's governor from 1955 to 1967.

Scholars focused on such topics as human rights, tribal sovereignty, water, the environment, and Frank Church and the Vietnam era. Afternoons were spent exploring related Constitutional issues in preparation for mock Congressional hearings the teachers participated in at the end of the week.

The institute was a partnership between the IHC and the Center for Civic Education, with additional support from the Whittenberger Foundation and the Idaho Law Foundation.