The purpose of the Constitutional Literacy Institute (CLI) is to provide education, resources, and experiences for teachers to increase personal constitutional literacy and thereby help their students to do the same.
The rising generation of citizens and leaders need a broad understanding of political thought and practices critical to the perpetuation of constitutional government, ordered liberty, and the rule of law. CLI is a tool for teachers to do just that.
Instruction is provided by esteemed constitutional scholars from the Center for Constitutional Studies at UVU, Oxford University, and elsewhere.
Participants will examine the U.S. Constitution through the lenses of history, law, economics, and public policy. Teacher attendees will increase their personal understanding of foundational principles and dispositions of America's founding and its roots in classical republicanism, the British enlightenment and common law, and the Protestant-Christian tradition.
Secondary-school teachers who have attended CLI previously are not eligible to apply.
This weeklong experience for teachers on June 23–27, 2025, will be facilitated by the Center for Constitutional Studies (CCS) at UVU in partnership with Pembroke College at the University of Oxford and the UVU School of Education.
There will also be a mandatory orientation dinner on Friday, March 21, 2025, for successful applicants to receive preparatory materials and more information regarding the program.
Led by esteemed constitutional scholars from the Center for Constitutional Studies, the University of Oxford, and elsewhere, participants will examine the U.S. Constitution through the lenses of history, law, economics, and public policy. Teacher attendees will increase their understanding of foundational principles and dispositions of the American Founding and its roots in classical republicanism, the British enlightenment and common law, and the Protestant Christian tradition.
Institute participants will also receive in-depth training on the Quill Project. Throughout the week, faculty from UVU’s School of Education and veteran teachers from regional school districts will collaborate with teacher attendees to develop lesson plans and other classroom applications of constitutional substance and Quill technology.
All materials and food during the week will be provided by the CCS and its partners. Also provided will be either a travel stipend for attendees living nearby or overnight lodging for those living outside UVU’s service region. In addition, teacher participants will receive a $750 stipend for their involvement with the seminar.
STRENGTHEN PERSONAL CONSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE
Scholars of constitutional history, law, and ideas deliver daily presentations on their areas of expertise. Teacher attendees will also prepare for the program by reviewing a wide array of reading materials.
WORK WITH OXFORD UNIVERSITY ON THE QUILL PROJECT
Participants will receive in-depth training on the Quill Project, a groundbreaking digital humanities software platform, created at Oxford and developed in partnership with UVU. The Quill Project enables users to experience the language and proceedings of parliamentary negotiations, such as the 1787 U.S. Constitutional Convention, the 1895 Utah Constitutional Convention, and the Bill of Rights congressional debates.
IDENTIFY & SHARE BEST PRACTICES
Faculty from UVU’s School of Education and veteran teachers from regional school districts will collaborate with teacher attendees to develop lesson plans and other classroom applications of the constitutional-expert presentations and the Quill Project training.
ESTABLISH RELATIONSHIPS & COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS
Work together as a cohort, in breakout groups, and with CLI alumni to develop relationships with peer teachers. The cohort will continue to share ideas and resources even after the conference.
ENGAGE WITH CONSTITUTIONAL AND PEDAGOGICAL EXPERTS
Program faculty and guest speakers use their experience and scholarship to provoke thought and discussion. Throughout the week attendees will explore ideas with these presenters.
