Kenyon’s location at a cultural crossroads — a blue dot in a red county in a purple state — compels us to engage with our community and the world in order to shape perspectives and influence fundamental change.

Sparking Conversation

The Center for the Study of American Democracy brings together the Kenyon community to debate the issues of today — no matter how controversial — through nonpartisan and civil discourse. The center also supports internships in Washington, D.C., and makes teaching and research opportunities possible for students and faculty.

Center for the Study of American Democracy

“As global citizens and educators, we work to understand the complexities of the conflict and the scope of its impact. That means creating spaces where all members of the Kenyon community are free and encouraged to ask difficult questions, examine their worldviews, and develop informed opinions rooted in their values.”

President Julie Kornfeld on recent events in Israel and Gaza

Connecting and listening across lines of difference

As a community of learners, one of the most important actions we can take is to better understand contemporary world crises. Kenyon’s Center for the Study of American Democracy sponsors programming that seeks to inform and educate the community about the current Israel-Hamas conflict while fostering constructive dialogue and civil discourse.

View recent speakers on the Israel-Hamas conflict

“Even though Kenyon students may not agree with what you’re saying, they’ll take their time to listen to you and to engage with the idea you're presenting. That is something we really need in the world right now.”

Ubong Asuquo ’23
Biology

We're here on purpose.

Dave Rowe teaching

Purposeful Conversations

According to political science professor David Rowe, the best class is one where a student’s worldview is turned upside down.

Date
Categories

“The best class is one where everyone is silent at the end, because their worldview has been turned upside down. It means that their prior intuitions haven't simply been confirmed — it's changed the way they think about their world.”

David Rowe
Professor of Political Science

Engaging Opportunities

From sustainable agriculture to foreign language development, community-engaged learning (CEL) courses connect students to the people and issues affecting Knox County and beyond.

Joseph Ferrari '23, a CSAD associate and community advisor, heads to the polls with residents from his hall during the 2022 midterm elections.
Andrina Kirst ’25 serves as an Election Day poll worker during the 2022 midterm elections at the Gambier Community Center, alongside fellow precinct election official Kathy Tate.
Kenyon students line up at the Gambier Community Center on Election Day to make their voices heard in the 2020 presidential election.
Aaliyah Daniels '23, an English major from Bronx, New York, votes during the 2020 presidential election.
Howard Dean, political commentator and former chair of the Democratic National Committee, discusses the issues of free speech and civil discourse at a CSAD conference. 
Former diplomat Nicholas Burns takes questions from the audience in the CSAD conference “Should America Promote Democracy Abroad?”
President of the Center for American Progress Neera Tanden answers the question “Rising Inequality: Where Do We Go from Here?” during her George L. Ohrstrom Jr. Lecture on Democracy. 
Students meet with General Michael Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency, during CSAD's “Hill to Hill” event in Washington, D.C.
President of the American Action Forum and former director of the Congressional Budget Office Douglas Holtz-Eakin shares insights at CSAD's conference on the politics of inequality.
CSAD's biennial conferences give students the opportunity to pose questions to leading experts about pressing local, national and global issues.  

More Resources