Our Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Programs
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Democracy 101: A Series of Critical Conversations
This series of co-curricular lectures, panel discussions and workshops focuses on the idea and practice of democracy.
We welcome faculty, staff, students and community partners to present. Possible topics may include: student activism, how to run for office, the history of social movements, democratic values, the idea of commons, student civic development, the role of media in a democracy, how to organize for social change, and more!
LIB 100/201 approved and pizza will be provided.
Have an Idea for a Democracy 101 Event?
Do you have a question about democracy, civic life or student democratic participation that you would like to explore?
Are you interested in presenting or facilitating a workshop or a conversation about a current public issue?
Do you have an idea or a project that promotes civic life and democratic participation that you would like to share?
If so, please submit your idea here!
Fall 2019 Events
|
Date |
Event |
Location(s) |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
09/18/2019 |
PFAS in Michigan According to the State of Michigan, "PFAS have been classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as an emerging contaminant on the national landscape. For decades, they have been used in many industrial applications and consumer products such as carpeting, waterproof clothing, upholstery, food paper wrappings, fire-fighting foams, and metal plating. They are still used today. PFAS have been found at low levels both in the environment and in blood samples of the general U.S. population." Join State Senator Winnie Brinks, State Representative Rachel Hood, and GVSU Professor Dr. Rick Rediske in a panel discussion on the emergence of PFAS and the dangers it poses to Michigan water, as well as legislative action being used to combat contamination across West Michigan. |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
09/25/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
|
10/02/2019 |
Media Literacy and You In an age where media is increasingly pervasive, it is important to critically think about the messages we see, hear, and read online. Join GVSU student Jane Johnston and GVSU Librarian Elizabeth Psyck for this interactive event and learn how being media literate can help you better understand the world around you. |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
10/09/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
|
10/16/2019 |
Student Media x Democratic Engagement Join GVSU students and faculty in this panel discussion on the role student media plays in educating voters. Panelists will discuss trends they've witnessed on campus, techniques they've used in their writing and reporting to educate their audience, and how they've collaborated with other organizations on campus to promote democratic participation. |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
10/23/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
|
10/30/2019 |
Why Democracy Needs the News While 'fake news' has become a concern for many, a bigger problem threatens the public's ability to make informed decisions: the collapse of local journalism. Building off of his work with the Pew Research Center and the Gallup Organization, Calvin College professor Jesse Holcomb will explain why community news is critical to civic life, and what can be done to save it. |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
11/06/2019 |
Water Around the Globe In 2010 the United Nations declared access to clean water to be a universal human right that is essential to the enjoyment of all other rights, but nearly a decade later that right is unfulfilled for close to 1 billion people around the planet. Grand Valley professor Jeff Kelly Lowenstein is leading a global investigation into why this is happening, and what can be done about it, with journalists, data scientists, photographers and students from more than 25 countries in five continents. Join us for a dynamic conversation about one of the world's most critical issues. |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
|
11/13/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
11/20/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
|
11/27/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
6:00-8:00pm |
|
12/04/2019 |
TBA |
Mary Idema Pew Library Multipurpose Room |
12:00-1:00pm |
Past Dem 101 events have included sessions like...
This is What Democracy Looks Like! Breaking the Silence and Living the Legacy of MLK Jr.
Students participated in an open mic session dedicated to expressing the living, democratic legacy of Dr. MLK Jr. Participants were invited to express, discuss and share their ideas about "what democracy looks like" through spoken word, storytelling, performance, music, art, film, and poetry.
Making Your Voice Heard: A First Time Voter Workshop
Ottawa County elections official stopped by to help first time voters at GV learn, step by step, how to be an educated and prepared voter. They even got to test out the voting equipment for themselves!
Laker Candidates Forum
Students met with current and former Lakers running for office or who currently serve as an elected official. They spoke about their positions on the issues and their experience in the world of politics.
Check out some videos from past DEM 101 events!
More videos coming in the fall of 2019.
Do Protests Matter?
The Role of Media in Democracy
Human Rights and the Promise of Democracy
Educating Toward Direct Democracy
Hitler's Rise to Power
The Common Ground Initiative