USU CHaSS Political Science Professor Tapped for Coalition of Freedom

Although it is the foundation of United States government, the Constitution remains a source of contention to many, inspired document to others and complete mystery to untold numbers of U.S. citizens.

However, the National Constitution Center and Utah State University College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHaSS) professor Anthony Peacock hope to make the founding document not only more accessible, but better understood and appreciated, through a project that has created a national “Coalition of Freedom.”

Along with a score of other scholars from across the country, Peacock was tapped to serve on the coalition’s bi-partisan advisory board, helping to mold the project that is meant to expand civic literacy and transform constitutional understanding.

“Everyone involved in the advisory board agrees that there is a dearth of understanding of the Constitution not only in schools, but amongst the general public,” Peacock said.

Peacock, who holds a doctorate in political science from Claremont Graduate School as well as a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School at York University, currently heads the CHaSS political science department.

He is in good scholarly company as a member of the Coalition of Freedom advisory board, which also includes such noted constitutional experts as Michael McConnell from Stanford University, Akhil Amar of Yale University and Randy Barnett from Georgetown University, among others.

The National Constitution Center recently received a three-year, $5.5 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to fund the Coalition of Freedom project.

Organizers said the project will include an online interactive Constitution; playwriting, short-story and essay contests for students; a schedule of on-site and traveling Town Hall debates; and a contest that challenges public and independent school teachers to create plans to increase constitutional literacy in their schools.

Since the National Constitution Center — which is also the Museum of We The People — opened its doors in 2003, it has served its mission as a headquarters for civic education. Located only blocks from Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the NCC is the only institution established by Congress to “disseminate information about the United States Constitution on a non-partisan basis.”

Jeffrey Rosen is president and CEO of the NCC as well as a leading constitutional scholar, law professor, journalist and author.

“In these polarized times, it’s crucial for there to be one place in America where liberals and conservatives can converge to educate themselves about our constitutional liberties,” Rosen said. “The Coalition of Freedom grant will allow the National Constitution Center to become an inspiring convening platform for civil dialogue about the Constitution.”

Peacock last spring attended an initial meeting of the Coalition Advisory Board in Philadelphia. There, advisors hashed out plans for the planned project as NCC officials fashioned a funding application. With the multi-million dollar Templeton Foundation grant now a reality, Peacock said he expects to be called upon to review papers, assist with assembling the website and much more.

It’s an effort he is happy to take part in and one he feels is very important.

“The lack of familiarity with the Constitution, regardless of your political affiliations, is a concern,” Peacock said. “This is a citizen’s Constitution. The very concept of Republicanism requires a high degree of citizen understanding for it to work effectively. I’m of the mindset that we’d probably have a more effective form of Republicanism if people were a little bit better educated on the Constitution.”

More about the Coalition of Freedom and the National Constitution Center can be found online. Information about the John Templeton Foundation is also online.

Related links:
USU Political Science Department

USU College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Writer and contact: Kristin Middaugh, CHaSS communication director, (435) 797-0267, kristin.middaugh@usu.edu