Sussex County Community College: Democracy, Ethics, And Leadership

Press release from Sussex County Community College:

3/24/2021 9:09:08 PM

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is proud to announce its new program, the Democracy Conversation Project. Funded through the “Why it Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, the Democracy Conversation Project (DCP) is a public humanities program designed to foster discussions among New Jersey communities about civic life and democracy in America. In these upcoming online events, participants can explore what democracy means, what opportunities are available and what challenges exist for nonprofits wishing to engage with civic life, and how NJCH can best support the cultural infrastructure of the state in the coming years as we all strive to enact and improve upon the society envisioned in the founding of the United States.

Sussex County Community College will be hosting their event Democracy, Ethics, and Leadership on Wednesday, April 7th from 3:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. This virtual event is free and open to the community.

A panelist of three College professors will ask the question, “Can American Democracy build a more stable and resilient future?” Each professor will answer from a different standpoint. They will discuss ideas of civil religion, ways in which American foreign policy aides or undermines democracy, and what responsibility and opportunities the education sector has for educating our young people in civics and ethics. Together, panelists seek to illuminate paths to strengthen the future of American democracy.

The College will have three panelist who will present their respective perspectives, followed by a conversation generated by the moderator and among the audience.

• Dr. Anthony Balzano, SCCC Professor of Anthropology / Sociology, will discuss his perspective - Our ethical principles are out of touch with the postmodern world and the global economy.

• Dr. Stacie Golin, Assistant Professor of Sociology, will take the perspective - The government already has a foundation of ethical principles.

• Professor, Jacquelyn Burt, will discuss how Ethical principles in government require a major initiative to educate society.
• Moderator, Dr. Carin Berkowitz, Executive Director of the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

To register for this virtual event, please visit https://sussex.edu/community/democracy-conversation/

“We are pleased and honored to participate in these conversations on promoting democracy and democratic principles,” stated SCCC President Dr. Jon Connolly. “Thoughtful societies make better societies. These conversations gives us an opportunity to explore why being intentional about democratic processes is better for humanity’s objectives.”

Additionally, the College will host “In the Weeds” Discussion: Putting your ideas into action on Wednesday, April 14 at 6:00 p.m. This sequel ZOOM event planned for the following week, designed to provide space to dialogue about the real-life application of the “big picture” concepts explored in "Democracy, Ethics, and Leadership."

Eight New Jersey colleges will host two-part discussions throughout March and April. For all Democracy Conversation Topics visit https://njhumanities.org/

All Democracy Conversation online discussions will be held among scholars, students, and community members. The DCP will also feature “In the Weeds,” (ITW) a signature NJCH follow-up series of events. “In the Weeds” will be hosted exactly one week after each initial conversation at noon. ITW is designed to ensure that event participants have the opportunity to explore and consider both big picture concepts and real-life application.

“We are grateful for support for the Democracy Conversation Project from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation,” said Executive Director Carin Berkowitz. “We are all responsible for our democratic institutions, and we all have a role to play in our electoral process and in governance. NJCH is committed to working with community-minded groups that want to strengthen our democracy for all New Jerseyans. The Council is proud to partner with the eight county colleges participating in this initiative and with the New Jersey Council of County Colleges to launch this program, as it will create meaningful opportunities for dialogue and exchange.”

DCP is administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. More information NJCH programming can be foundation at njhumanities.org.

About the New Jersey Council for the Humanities

The New Jersey Council for the Humanities is a nonprofit state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. NJCH harnesses the power of the humanities to strengthen our pluralistic society. We envision a New Jersey that delights in diversity, appreciates that there are no easy answers, and finds joy and understanding in the humanities. We work statewide with cultural and community organizations to bring dynamic programming to the local level.

This press release was produced by Sussex County Community College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.