Conservative Intellectual Tradition for University Faculty
May 18-22, 2026 | Washington, D.C.
A weeklong workshop introducing university faculty to the conservative intellectual tradition, with a particular focus on course design.
Expert faculty lead participants through foundational arguments about culture, law, economics, and politics that have shaped modern conservatism, as well as practical approaches to course design that thoughtfully incorporate these ideas. Hosted at AEI’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., the program welcomes faculty from across the ideological spectrum who are interested in learning about this neglected intellectual tradition. Travel and lodging expenses are covered by AEI, and participating faculty will receive a $1,500 honorarium.
This workshop is jointly directed by Ben Storey of AEI and Jon Shields of Claremont McKenna.
2026 Workshop Sessions
Why Teach the Conservative Intellectual tradition
Eitan Hersh, Tufts University
Edmund Burke on “What is Conservatism”
Yuval Levin, American Enterprise Institute
Conservatism and the American Founding
Rita Koganzon, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill
20th Century Conservatism
Matthew Continetti, American Enterprise Institute
Radical Conservatism in the Age of Trump
Jon Shields, Claremont McKenna College
Conservatism and crime
Peter Moskos, John Jay College
Conservatism and the Family
Brad Wilcox, University of Virginia
Conservatism and Law
Adam White, American Enterprise Institute
Conservatism and Foreign Policy
Peter Berkowitz, Hoover Institution, Stanford University
Introduction to Conservatism
Jon Shields, Claremont McKenna College
Teaching Conservatism in the University Classroom
Frank Lechner, Emory University
Paul Milazzo, Ohio University
2026 Application Closed
resources
Download Resources for Teaching The Conservative Intellectual Tradition
Eitan Hersh, Tufts University
“American Conservatism” Course Syllabus
Essay on Teaching Conservative Thought
Rita KoganzOn, UNC-Chapel Hill
“The Family in Political Thought” Course Syllabus
Essay on The Conservative Tradition as the American Tradition
Frank Lechner, Emory University
“Sociology of Conservatism” Course Syllabus
Essay on Teaching Conservative Thought
Yuval Levin, AEI
“Freedom, Progress, and Tradition” Seminar Syllabus
Essay on Teaching Conservative Thought
Jon Shields, Claremont McKenna College
“American Culture Wars” Course Syllabus
Essay on Teaching Conservatism in the Age of Trump
Adam White, AEI
Conservative Legal Thought:
A (Brief) Chronological Bibliography
Essay on Teaching Conservative Thought
Peter Berkowitz, Stanford University
“Varieties of Conservatism in America” Course Syllabus
Matthew Continetti, AEI
“American Conservative Political Thought” Course Syllabus
Paul Milazzo, Ohio University
“History of American Conservatism” Course Syllabus
Essay on Teaching American Conservatism
Gary Schmitt, AEI
Conservative Legal Thought:
A (Brief) Chronological Bibliography
Steve Teles, Johns Hopkins University
“Conservatism and Crime” Course Syllabus