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Tocqueville Scholars

The Tocqueville Scholars program prepares students to become civic leaders in government, law, business, and public affairs through its in-depth curriculum.

Program Requirements

Co-Curricular Requirements

A photo of IAC director Josh Dunn speaking before a seated group
A photo of the exterior of the Baker building

Scholarships for Future Leaders

The Tocqueville Scholars program is a 4-year scholars program grounded in the ideas of Alexis de Tocqueville, with the goal to educate exceptional students in America’s constitutional, economic, and political foundations. The Tocqueville Scholars program prepares students to become civic leaders in government, law, business, and public affairs through an in-depth curriculum. Students in the program will receive an $1,250 scholarship each semester they are active in the program.

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About the Application Process

Program Requirements

Students completing the Tocqueville Scholars Program will complete the American Civics Minor. The course outline below indicates the course schedule for the duration of the four-year program. The program is open to any academic major.

Year OneFall Semester
IAC 101: Foundation of American Citizenship
Spring Semester
IAC 102: Visions of America
Year TwoFall Semester
IAC 201: Construction and Reconstruction of the American Republic
Spring Semester
IAC 203: Constitutional Foundations
Year ThreeFall Semester
IAC 305: Democracy in America
Spring Semester
IAC 202: Civil Society and the State
Year FourFall Semester
IAC 412: Philosophical Foundations of American Politics
Spring Semester
IAC 495: Special Topics in American Civics

Co-Curricular Requirements

Tocqueville Scholars will be required to attend the Civic Leadership Lecture Series hosted by the IAC.

Other co-curricular activities include: semesterly reading group; cohort outings to government agencies; plus additional co-curricular programs to be determined.


Application Process

The process includes a completed online application with short essay questions and two required letters of recommendation (one letter of recommendation should be from a current teacher or faculty member). Following the application review, students will interview with the Program Review Committee.

Applications are open.

The deadline to apply is May 1, 2025. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so apply early.

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Institute of American Civics

1640 Cumberland Avenue
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3340
Phone: 865-974-0931
Fax: 865-974-3889
Email: civics@utk.edu

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996
865-974-1000

The flagship campus of the University of Tennessee System and partner in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway.

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