We are delighted to introduce you to Tom Pope, a professor of political science at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he has taught courses in political philosophy and constitutional law since 2010. His teaching and scholarship illuminate the profound connection between political theory and political life. While pursuing his PhD at Baylor University, he had the opportunity to teach in Baylor’s Honors Program, where he developed a deep interest in fostering interdisciplinary dialogue around questions central to the human experience. This passion for dialectical conversation drew him to Lee University, an institution that emphasizes holistic pedagogy and Christ-centred philosophizing.
Tom’s commitment to translating theory into practice led him to establish Lee’s Center for Responsible Citizenship (CRC), a place-based initiative that offers programming to underscore the importance of moral and civic virtue as the foundation of a flourishing political life. The CRC strives to revitalize communities through charitable dialogue that examines the profound questions that shape our understanding of what it means to be human. As articulated in its mission statement, the CRC aims, “through both the content and form of these conversations,” to “bring together individuals and recast them as citizens—vital members of a community who share in the common labor of flourishing.”
Local high school students gather for opening remarks at Lee University's annual Constitution Bowl.
This mission materializes through a rich array of events hosted by the CRC. From the ongoing student-led reading group exploring the theme of faith in the public square to “Discourse Dinners,” which bring together minds from various disciplines to grapple with the challenges of faith in a pluralistic society, each event is a step toward building intentional and trusting communities.
The CRC is not just an academic institution but a catalyst for cultivating a healthy vision of political life, where “politics” is a framework of dialogue, mores, and institutions that teach what it means to pursue the good life, together. This study is guided and informed by a deep commitment to the Christian faith, which understands the human good as connected to a robust vision of persons made in the image of God.
