Center for the Study of American Democracy

Kenyon always has prided itself on a dedication to exploring the issues of the day, no matter how controversial, through deliberative inquiry and civil, probing conversation. Drawing on this tradition, the Center for the Study of American Democracy seeks open dialogue toward a subtle understanding of history, timeless questions and fundamental principles.

Located in Oden Hall, the center organizes conferences, lectures and seminars with the goal of stimulating nonpartisan civic and political discourse. The center also provides teaching and research opportunities for faculty and students and promotes student internships in Washington, D.C. Established in 2007, the center was funded through a “We the People” Challenge Grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

What We Are Reading

CSAD staff and student associates share their favorite books about democracy, politics and political theory.

Read Book Reviews

Under the Hood of a Knox County Election

CSAD Student Associates Joseph Ferrari '24 and Andrew Nguyen '23 analyzed the November 2022 local elections.

Read the Article

Upcoming CSAD Events

'Genocide Cases at the International Court of Justice'

Nov 14, 2024
Join the Center for the Study of American Democracy for a lecture by Maxim Pensky '83, professor of philosophy and co-director of the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University.
When 7:30 pm

Where Community Foundation Theater (Gund Gallery)

Category

Speakers and Discussions
'The Classical Liberal Diaspora,' by Michael Munger

Nov 21, 2024
The Center for the Study of American Democracy welcomes Michael C. Munger, professor of political science, economics and public policy at Duke University.
When 11:10 am

Where Community Foundation Theater (Gund Gallery)

Category

Speakers and Discussions
'Bridging the Impasse: 21st Century Practices for a Stronger Democracy' by Danielle Allen

Jan 21, 2025
Join the Center for the Study of American Democracy for a lecture by Danielle S. Allen, the James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University.
When 7:30 pm

Where Oden Hall Auditorium

Category

Speakers and Discussions
Lecture by Annie Lowrey

Feb 6, 2025
Join the Center for the Study of American Democracy for a lecture by Lowrey, a staff writer for the Atlantic.
When 7:30 pm

Where Oden Hall Auditorium

Category

Speakers and Discussions
CSAD Biennial Conference: Immigration

Mar 26, 2025 — Mar 28, 2025
Political and economic experts will gather to discuss immigration at the Center for the Study of American Democracy's biennial conference.
When All Day

Where Kenyon College

Category

Conferences

Sparking Conversation

CSAD's biennial conferences and other events bring the Kenyon community together with national experts to analyze the pressing issues of today — no matter how controversial — through nonpartisan and civil discourse.

Adam Tooze, the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of History at Columbia University discusses inflation, politics and policy at the 2023 conference, which focused on inflation's causes, consequences and cures.

Panelists including Matt Winkler ‘77, co-founder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Bloomberg News, Rakeen Mabud, chief economist and managing director of policy and research at the Groundwork Collaborative and Steven B. Kamin, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) discuss the reality of contemporary inflation.

CSAD programming gives students the opportunity to attend events and pose questions to leading experts about pressing local, national and global issues.

Students meet with General Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency, during CSAD's “Hill to Hill” event in Washington, D.C.

Rakeen Mabud, chief economist at the Groundwork Collaborative, shares her expertise during a panel discussion about the reality of contemporary inflation.

A Virtual Hill to Hill Panel Series

Kenyon grads working in politics, journalism, education and foreign service came together to explore a central question, "Is the American Experiment Still Viable?" Watch a two-minute recap of the series or follow the link below to learn more.