Interestingly sent within minutes of The President's address.

Democracy Under Threat: A Teach-in on the U.S. Political Environment

Make Reservations

Virtual

The United States currently faces strong threats to our democratic ideals. From unsubstantiated claims of broad election fraud to the recent storming of the U.S. Capitol, democratic principles are under attack. How can we understand this turn of events, and how might we address it? What kinds of laws, policies, and norms best support the goals of a democratic nation? This panel will provide historical, legal and cultural contexts to help illuminate and explain the current moment of crisis. By placing the events of the past several months in a larger framework, we can both learn from history and better grapple with our present. Panelists will include U.S. historian Ariela Gross, German historian Paul Lerner, media scholar Ellen Seiter, and XXX, with moderation by digital media scholar Tara McPherson. Our conversation will be far ranging, including topics such as authoritarianism, populism, media policy, free speech, and the role of social networks in public discourse. Each panelist will present brief opening remarks, followed by conversation and audience questions.

Panelists: Ariela Gross is the John B. and Alice R. Sharp Professor of Law and History. Her research and writing focus on race and slavery in the United States; she teaches Contracts, History of American Law, and Race and Gender in the Law.

Paul Lerner is the Director of the Max Kade Institute for Austrian-German-Swiss Studies and a Professor of History who studies Modern German and Central European history, European-Jewish history, the history of psychiatry, and fascism.

Ellen Seiter is the Nenno Endowed Chair in Television Studies and a Professor of Cinema and Media Studies. Her research and writing include topics such as media industry studies, audience ethnography, and digital media studies.

Tara McPherson is the Hefner Endowed Chair of Censorship Studies and a Professor of Cinema and Media Studies. Her research interests include digital media studies, race, gender and technology, and extremist online media.