Rooted in free inquiry, freedom of expression, and a close reading of foundational thinkers, the field of civic thought bridges the humanities, arts, and social sciences to understand the ideas, principles, and practices that sustain self-government and civic life. It explores how citizens understand their rights and responsibilities within a community or republic and cultivates intellectual engagement, civic habits, and forms of participation that make self-governance possible.
The Institute is designed to draw together a community of scholars, students, leaders, and partners to engage in the exploration of enduring questions about civics and leadership to serve as a catalyst for renewing democratic culture and the civil society that sustains it.
Key Initiatives for 2026
- SPRING 2026: Launch first interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary research and creative arts clusters on civics and civic thought, including creating a CivTech Incubator to foster CLA-STEM partnerships around technology to facilitate civic practices.
- SPRING 2026: Launching SCLA 210 Introduction to Civic Thought – Students will engage with classic texts that the Founders themselves read, and which have shaped Western political thought past and present. These texts continue to influence the way we think and debate important topics like democracy, individual rights and responsibilities, liberty and law, and the tensions inherent to equality in a pluralistic society.
- FALL 2026: Civics Collaboratory to prepare students to work with faculty on civics research, preceptors, and civic thought facilitators
- FALL 2026: New Theme in the Cornerstone Certificate: Democracy and Citizenship. Students may choose this pathway in the Cornerstone Certificate to ground them in foundational and contemporary knowledge of American democracy, its history, laws, and institutions. They will practice the habits of civic life through coursework and programming in the Cornerstone Institute for Civic Thought.
Building Community
Through events and programming, we bring together faculty, students, alumni, and friends to explore enduring and contemporary questions about the practice of civic life.
- Civic Café – Informal forums discussing topics and readings related to civic thought.
- Civic Conversation Dinners – Themed community dinners with keynote speakers or panels.
- Immersive Civics Events such as deliberative forums, moot courts, policy and legislative simulations, and participatory budget simulations.
- Seminars, Conferences, and Performances that advance the field of civics research and education.
