As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence July 4, Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics is making experts available to discuss the nation’s history, constitutional traditions, civic culture and future challenges.
The institute has four faculty members available for interviews on topics ranging from the U.S. Supreme Court and constitutional government to education policy, free speech and the role of states in American democracy.
The available experts include:
Ryan Owens, IGC Director
- Email: owens@fsu.edu
- Areas of expertise: Civics and higher education; law and courts; U.S. Supreme Court; judicial behavior.
- Story angles:
- How has America thrived for 250 years?
- What does the Supreme Court need to do to ensure another 250 years?
- What does higher education need to do to sustain America for another 250 years?
- Is patriotism bipartisan?
- What trends do we see regarding upcoming generations of Americans?
James Strickland, Constitutional Liberty Branch Head; Associate Professor of Political Science
- Email: jms25s@fsu.edu
- Areas of expertise: Interest groups; legislatures and subnational politics in the United States.
- Story angles:
- He can discuss the recent student-run constitutional convention.
- Was James Madison correct about interest groups?
- What is the role of states today versus states earlier in America’s 250 years?
James V. Shuls, Educational Liberty Branch Head
- Email: jvs24b@fsu.edu
- Areas of expertise: K-12 finance; teacher policy; education reform.
- Story angles:
- How has the “right to learn” issue evolved over time?
- How does education today compare to education at earlier times in America?
- What does K-12 education need to do to sustain America for another 250 years?
Denise Harle, Conscience Liberty Branch Head, First Amendment Clinic Director
- Email: dharle@law.fsu.edu
- Areas of expertise: Constitutional law; appellate practice; First Amendment rights.
- Story angles:
- Why is the First Amendment so important to America’s 250th?
- What do free speech and religious liberty mean for Americans today versus 250 years ago?
- How can we create a culture that respects individual rights to expression and thought?
