A slate of nationally known speakers will visit Kenyon College this fall to explore what’s at stake in the upcoming November election, examining everything from the role of the media to implications for American democracy.
Among the experts will be Timothy Snyder, a leading historian of Central and Eastern Europe — including Ukraine — who will discuss his new book, “On Freedom,” that will be released Sept. 17. The acclaimed Yale professor, who has been called “the leading interpreter of our dark times” and is the bestselling author of “On Tyranny,” will speak Oct. 22 at 11:10 a.m. in Oden Auditorium, 107 College Drive.
The event — like the entire lecture series from Kenyon’s Center for the Study of American Democracy (CSAD) — is free and open to the public.
“The 2024 election campaign raises many challenging questions about the nature of our democracy and its future. Our speakers will address those questions in stimulating talks and discussions,” said Joseph L. Klesner, CSAD director and a professor of political science and international studies. “Having Professor Snyder here to talk about his reflections on freedom will allow us to get at the most important of those questions — what must we do to make our nation the home of freedom that we hope it to be?”
Other upcoming events related to the November election and modern democracy, to be held in Oden Auditorium unless otherwise noted, include:
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Ric Sheffield, Kenyon professor emeritus of sociology and legal studies, will give a Constitution Day lecture on “The Constitution and Ohio’s Reconstruction: A History of Race and False Promises Regarding the Right to Vote” on Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m.
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Kathleen Belew, associate professor of history at Northwestern University, will speak on the topic “Bring the War Home: Political Violence in Modern America” on Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
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Michael Gerhardt, Burton Craige Distinguished Professor of Jurisprudence at the University of North Carolina, will talk about “The 2024 Presidential Election, the Constitution, and the Future of American Politics” on Oct. 18 at 3:10 p.m.
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Kerry Sanders, retired senior national correspondent for NBC News, and Nick Bogert, a freelance producer for the news organization, will take part in the panel discussion, “Assessing the Role of the Media in the 2024 Presidential Elections,” on Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m.
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Michael C. Munger, professor of political science, economics, and public policy at Duke University, will discuss “The Classical Liberal Diaspora” on Nov 21 at 11:10 a.m. in The Gund’s Community Foundation Theater.
Parking is available on site behind Chalmers Library in the West Quad Parking Garage.
Established in 2007, Kenyon’s Center for the Study of American Democracy organizes conferences, lectures and seminars with the goal of stimulating nonpartisan civic and political discourse. It also provides teaching and research opportunities for faculty and students and promotes student internships in Washington, D.C.
CSAD has other major events taking place this fall as well:
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Monica Beletsky, creator, writer and executive producer of the Apple TV+ miniseries “Manhunt,” will discuss the role of Edwin M. Stanton, Class of 1834, in the search for Abraham Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth on Oct. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in Oden Auditorium.
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Maxim Pensky, Kenyon Class of 1983 and professor of philosophy and co-director of the Institute for Genocide and Mass Atrocity Prevention at Binghamton University, will speak on “Genocide Cases at the International Court of Justice: How is the World Court Changing Our Understanding of the ‘Crime of Crimes?’” on Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Community Foundation Theater.
For more information, contact the Center for the Study of American Democracy at americandemocracy@kenyon.edu or 740-427-5855.
Click to download images of Timothy Snyder and Kenyon College.