Histories of Democracy - A Year-long Conversation Series
Amid concerns that democracy may be in danger in the U.S. and around the world, the Lepage Center took a step back to examine the origins of democracy, its applications, where it has delivered on its promises, and where it has fallen short. This event series revealed how ideas about democracy and participation have changed over time, how perspectives on democracy are more nuanced and complex than we may believe, and where this leaves us today.
Part 1
Monday, October 29th
American Perspectives: Promises and Shortcomings
Speakers
Joanne Freeman
Professor of History and American Studies,
Yale University and co-host of Backstory Radio
Jonathan Lai
Journalist, Philadelphia Inquirer covering issues of absentee ballots, gerrymandering, & digital privacy
Allison Dorsey
Professor of History, Swarthmore College and scholar of Reconstruction & Civil Rights
Paul Rosier
Mary M. Birle Chair in American History,
Villanova University and scholar of Native American politics & history
Moderated by Jason Steinhauer, Director, Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest, Villanova University
Part 2
Monday, November 12th
Global Perspectives: Revolutions and Empires
Speakers
Hibba Abugideiri
Associate Professor of History, Villanova University and scholar of Middle East history
Melissa Feinberg
Professor of History, Rutgers University and scholar of Communism, the Cold War & human rights
Julia Gaffield
Assistant Professor of History, Georgia State University and scholar of the Haitian Revolution
Maia Otarashvili
Deputy Director of the Eurasia Program, Foreign Policy Research Institute and co-editor of the 2017 volume Does Democracy Matter?
Moderated by Paul Steege, Faculty Director, Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest, Villanova University
Part 3
Tuesday, March 19th
How Do We Participate in Democracy?
The Power of Activism
Speakers
Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Counseling at Villanova University and scholar of student engagement, student voice and youth organizing
Executive Director and Publisher of the Feminist Press at the City University of New York
Part 4
Tuesday, April 9th
How Do We Participate in Democracy?
The Power of Everyday Life
Speakers
Associate Professor of Africana Studies and History at University of Delaware and author of Beauty Shop Politics: African American Women’s Activism in the Beauty Industry
Professor of History at Temple University and author of Everything But the Coffee: Learning About America from Starbucks
