A State of Democracy
Series Dates and Times
All sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings from 6-8 p.m. on September 8, September 15, September 22, October 6, and October 13.
Two College-wide lectures are associated with this series: "The World Needs Leaders" with former U.S. Ambassador Jeff Flake on September 23, and "MLK and the Voting Rights Act" with Pulitzer Prize winning author Jonathan Eig on September 28. All course participants are invited to attend as part of this series.
Discuss the state of democracy in the United States—join Lake Forest College professors Dr. Jim Marquardt, Dr. Alejandra Lopez Villegas, and Dr. Zachary Cook for this exciting new community engagement series.
Held at the newly renovated Glen Rowan House, this series explores both the constraints on democracy—such as recent democratic backsliding, the Constitution’s roadblocks on majority rule, and the weakening of voting rights to name a few—and strategies to overcome them and enhance democracy in America. The opening and closing sessions will include a social reception featuring food and refreshments prior to class.
Both the educational content and social receptions will offer opportunities to build community, engage with College leadership, and learn more about ongoing campus initiatives.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions, but full attendance is not required.
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, September 1, 2026