Political life in America is focus of McConnell Center spring talks

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The McConnell Center at the University of Louisville is continuing its lecture series focused on American political life and culture with three spring talks.

The presentations are part of the Center’s lecture series, “American Political Culture,” inspired by Alexis de Tocqueville’s book “Democracy in America” and his observations on American society and social conditions.

All talks begin at 6 p.m. in Ekstrom Library’s Chao Auditorium. Here is the schedule:

Jan. 28 - “Henry Clay’s Lessons for America Today.” James Klotter, State Historian of Kentucky and Georgetown College professor emeritus of history, will discuss his book “Henry Clay: The Man Who Would be President.” He will sign copies of his book and take part in a Q&A session.

Feb. 18 - “Political Culture from the 1960s to the 21st Century: Edward M. Kennedy as a Bipartisan Partisan.” Barbara Perry, a Louisville native and UofL graduate who is now director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and co-director of the Presidential Oral History Program, will share insights and research from her forthcoming book on Kennedy. Perry, the author or editor of 12 books on presidents, First Ladies, the Kennedy family, the Supreme Court and civil rights and civil liberties, is a frequent commentator for national and international news sources.

April 8 - “Dark Strands and Bright Threads: Viewing America from the Outside.” James Nolan, a Williams College professor of sociology and author of “What They Saw in America: Alexis de Tocqueville, Max Weber, G.K. Chesterton and Sayyid Qutb,” will draw on insights from his book and take part in a Q&A session.

The non-partisan McConnell Center, created at UofL in 1991, prepares Kentucky’s top undergraduate students to become future leaders; offers civic education programs for teachers, students and the public; and conducts strategic leadership development for the U.S. Army.

For more information, contact GlyptusAnn Grider Jones at glyptusann.jones@louisville.edu or 502-852-4579.

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