The Civic Literacy Initiative seeks to prepare graduates for informed and engaged participation in the civic and economic life of their local and national communities. To this end, CSLD sponsors events, workshops, symposia, and courses centered on these themes: protection of the natural rights of individuals, economic freedom and open markets, the rule of law, equal protection of the laws, constitutional rights and responsibilities, and the virtues of free and responsible citizenship.
Past Civic and Economic Literacy events and activities hosted by CSLD:
- The annual CSLD Undergraduate Essay Competition , which invites students to engage with questions such as “Should there be limits to the presidential pardon power?” (2025); “Should the United States make military or national service compulsory?” (2021); “Are the goals of fostering freedom of speech on campus and of fostering a welcoming environment for all students incompatible?” (2016).
- The annual Civic Literacy and Citizenship Symposium, which provides high school teachers and administrators with access to scholarly resources for teaching about the founding principles of the United States and Constitutional rights and powers.
- Talks by Visiting Scholars, including:
- Sexual Orientation and the Military with US Army (retired) Col. Sheri Swokowski, Ph.D. (November 2020)
- Arms and the University with UW Emeritus Dr. Don Downs (November 2020)
- Race, Gender, and the U.S. Citizen-Soldier with Major General Marcia M. Anderson, U.S. Army Reserve (November 2020)
- Civil-Military Relations: What They Are, Why They Matter, and How to Think About Them, with Dr. Richard H. Kohn from University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill (March 2020)
- Socialism, Social Democracy and Capitalism: A Debate on which is right for America (March 2020)
- Public Debate: Is Trumpism Good or Bad for America? (November 2019)
Interested in supporting this initiative? See how you can help the Center.