USC undergraduates interested in the life of the mind, the intellectual and political traditions of the American experiment and the nature and tasks of responsible citizenship are encouraged to join the scholars forum.
Lieber Scholars are encouraged to participate actively in the life of the Center for American Civic Leadership and Public Discourse. Opportunities for Lieber Scholars include:
- Reading groups led by faculty and staff covering a wide range of topics related to leadership, American history, philosophy, education and more.
- Small group meetings with the center’s distinguished speakers and guests, which include well-known thought leaders as well as rising scholars.
- Grants for books, travel, and research on topics related to the center’s core ideals.
- Competitive prizes for outstanding work.
Fall 2025 Programming: Dive into discussions of the book American Covenant by Yuval Levin. Learn more.
Join the Undergraduate Forum
To apply for membership in the Francis Lieber Undergraduate Scholars Forum, please submit the Undergraduate Forum application below. Only undergraduate students at the University of South Carolina are eligible to apply. (A Graduate Scholars Forum is in development.)
About Francis Lieber
Francis Lieber was a German-American legal scholar, political philosopher and educator who played a pivotal role in shaping American legal and civic thought in the 19th century. He also was the first political science professor at the University of South Carolina, where he helped lay the foundation for the academic study of politics.
Born in Prussia in 1800, Lieber immigrated to the United States in the 1820s after being imprisoned for his liberal political beliefs. He is best known for drafting the Lieber Code, a set of military guidelines commissioned by President Abraham Lincoln that influenced the development of the modern laws of war. He also compiled the Encyclopædia Americana and published On Civil Liberty and Self Government, a bestseller in political thought that was a staple of university curriculum for years. Read more about Francis Lieber.
The Francis Lieber Undergraduate Scholars Forum reflects his deep commitment to rigorous scholarship, democratic ideals and intellectual inquiry as it encourages students to explore the principles of American democracy, develop their capacities for leadership and contribute thoughtfully to public discourse.