Timeless Lessons Nic Forum To Engage Great Minds Of History

Can the moral dilemmas faced by the great historical thinkers shed light on decision-making in Idaho today?

Organizers of North Idaho College’s 28th annual Popcorn Forum and Convocation Series think so. It’s one of the reasons they’ve chosen to introduce historical debates to this year’s “Journey Through Time: Visits to Five Historical Cities,” scheduled for March 23-27.

“We really do believe that those who come can experience the past and learn from the past to make decision-making more informed for the present,” said forum founder Tony Stewart, a political science professor at NIC.

The annual series features guest scholars from around the nation performing in character each day.

“Learning is increased and escalates through the role playing,” Stewart said. “It also offers a platform for free expression of divergent viewpoints.” Performers will give speeches in the morning, and then debate local residents in character from a similar historical period in the afternoon, which will be followed by a panel discussion.

On March 23, Confucius will debate Buddha during “A Visit to Peking or Beijing.” The two will debate the concept of individualism vs. the state and whether what is good for society as a whole is more important than individual rights.

On March 24, “A Visit to Athens” will feature Greek tragedy character Antigone debating Greek philosopher Plato about the merits of democracy vs. aristocracy.

On March 25, in “Alexandria, Egypt,” the Jewish sage who wrote “Wisdom” will debate free speech vs. censorship with modern day Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. Also on March 25, Clay Jenkinson, one of the nation’s leading authorities on the modern Chautauqua movement, will give a keynote speech titled “The Legacy of the Ancient World - The Rise of Law.”

On March 26, in “Paris,” Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson, will debate pacifism vs. revolution with Mary Wollstonecraft, an 18th-century feminist author.

On March 27, the final moral dilemma will be a discussion of which is better: the humorous life or the serious life. During this episode, Mark Twain and Will Rogers will debate American satirist and sharp-tongued poet Dorothy Parker.

Each day’s presentation will include time-period appropriate mood music and city sets produced by NIC’s Drama Department.

“We are going to be very theater this year,” Stewart said. “The visual power in these presentations will be great.”

Stewart founded the forum 28 years ago with just $40 in popcorn money from the Associated Students of North Idaho College. This year’s program is also being supported by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council and donations from the NIC Foundation.

“The foundation has a philosophy of providing that margin of excellence,” Foundation President Brad Dougdale said Wednesday. “This is exactly the type of program the foundation wants to support so we can give back to the community.”

The series at NIC is drawing attention because of its local participation in the Chautauqua role playing. Residents often rehearse their roles for four to five months.

Stewart said the number of local residents with an interest in historical role playing has grown enough to support a Chautauqua Society. He predicts a group that tours the Northwest will form soon in Coeur d’Alene.

The forums, held in Boswell HallSchuler Auditorium, are free and open to the public.

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