September 20, 2004 :: No. 39

American Democracy Project Kicks Off With “Perspectives on Democracy”

As part of the national American Democracy Project, Cal State Fullerton will launch its campus-specific activities with a free half-day conference, “Perspectives on Democracy,” Friday, Sept. 24. The event will take place in the university’s Titan Student Union.

“This year, we hope to generate interest in the American Democracy Project at Cal State Fullerton,” said Phillip L. Gianos, professor of political science who is spearheading the movement on campus. “We hope those who attend this program will become excited by the discussions and want to become more civically engaged in the community and throughout the nation, and also become intellectually engaged in thinking about democratic politics.”

Across America, dozens of universities are establishing American Democracy Projects on their respective campuses.

The half-day series will begin at 8:30 a.m. with introductions. The opening session begins at 9 a.m. and features Raphael Sonenshein, CSUF professor of political science, who will discuss “Democracy at the Grass Roots.”

From 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., participants may choose among a series of panels on “Democracy and the Media,” “Direct Democracy in California,” “Inequality and Democracy” and “The State of Democratic Theory.”

Event panelists include several professors from Cal State Fullerton, as well as those from USC, UC Riverside, CSU Long Beach and UCI. Other panelists include members of the media and community members representing nonprofit groups.

A luncheon address, “Democratic Challenges, Democratic Choices,” is slated by Russell J. Dalton, professor of political science and director of UCI’s Center for the Study of Democracy. Reservations are requested.

For more information or to make reservations, contact Phillip L. Gianos at 657-278-4713 or pgianos@fullerton.edu.