Pegasus Foundation Dallas Institute of Humanities & Culture

The Teachers Academy of the Dallas Institute was conceived in 1983 with the "Summer Institute"--a literature class for high school English teachers sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities and that called the class a "model for the nation."

 

The Summer Institute convenes each July for fifteen weekday classes, from 8:45 am - 4:00 pm. Mornings are given over to a lecture on the reading material for the day and a two-hour seminar exploring the work in detail, trying out ideas and approaches. Afternoon schedules vary to include guest lectures, films and discussions, panels, and writing. Journal writings and a weekly in-class essay are expected of every participant; for those seeking graduate credit, a longer, carefully written essay submitted one week after the course concludes is required.

The MLK, Jr. Symposium, held on MLK Day since 2006, aims at providing an annual event for the city of Dallas that explores the historical achievement of Martin Luther King, Jr., considers the impact of Dr. King's legacy, promotes the ongoing study of Dr. King's speeches and writing and spotlights seminal aspects of the American Civil Rights Movement.

 

Each year, a symposium is held on MLK Day that brings in a keynote speaker that has experience with civil rights, MLK's legacy, or racial equality. Last year, a new Teen Symposium was held the day of the symposium. High school students from the area had a chance to meet with the keynote speaker for questions and a short lecture. Also, there are pre- and post- events each year that focus on the theme. In 2011, the theme is "Just and Unjust Laws."

The keystone event of 2011 is a project whose main feature is a multi-format, all-day Saturday program during which crucial issues are discussed with increasing focus as the day goes on. The rationale for the Festival is America’s desperate need for occasions of civil discourse about big questions that will bring together rather than further divide our already polarized populace. With its combination of experienced speakers and high level of audience discussion, the Festival is designed to be neither mere entertainment nor pure speculation; it will seek to engender conversation throughout the day that will continue beyond the day.
 

We will bring several high-profile figures to Dallas and match them each with some of the best Dallas people in their fields to present ideas and then to generate an abundance of conversation and dialogue, both with Dallas' best and also audiences. We want an apolitical atmosphere—neither set speeches, argument, nor debate. We want this to mean something important, pragmatic, and consequential for Dallas and, by extension, other cities. The Festival will have great potential for spin-off as we explore the day's theme: "The Future of American Culture."