Political Science

Students, staff, alumni and the public are invited to attend this weekly nonpartisan discussion of recent political events, hosted by Professor Matthew Dickinson. Held in person and by zoom almost every Tuesday, 12:30-1:30 pm EST. Check the calendar for dates. No expertise assumed. All viewpoints welcome. To register for the zoom sessions, please contact Prof. Dickinson at his email: dickinso@middlebury.edu

Journalists and politicians are increasingly describing contemporary American politics as in “constitutional crisis” or as “not normal times.” To better understand what is happening, a panel of political science experts on American and comparative politics will discuss whether the United States can still be categorized as a democracy. They will point to the developments they view as most threatening and discuss what elements they are focused on to judge the future of the United States.

Panelists: Matt Dickinson, Bert Johnson, Jessica Teets, Erik Bleich (moderator)

Prof. Jed Atkins, Director and Dean; Professor of Civic Life and Leadership at the University of North Carolina offers a seminar surveying some basic forms civic education has taken in the 20th century and possibilities for the future of civic education in liberal arts institutions. RSVP required for lunch: trish@middlebury.edu

Why is our food system broken? Austin Frerick describes the rise to power of 7 “food titans”, whose exploitation of consumers, farmers and workers has contributed to high prices and poor conditions for farmers and workers. Frerick is a Yale University agricultural policy fellow and the author of Barons: Money, Power and the Corruption of Food Industry, chosen as a Kirkus Review Best Indie Book of 2024.

Ms. Wan Ning Seah, Midd 2016, who is pursuing her Ph.D in political science at Duke University, will deliver a talk at Middlebury on Tuesday, March 11, 2025.

How are governmental negotiations at UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COPs) shaped by generational gaps and questions about intersectionality? Former climate negotiator for the government of Mexico, Ivonne Maricarmen Serna ‘23, will speak about her experiences at UNFCCC COP-29 to the Middlebury community and broader public.

The Rohatyn Center for Global Affairs program on Security and Global Affairs presents “War and Forced Displacement: A Global Reckoning” with David Vine.

Want to know more about political ecology and environmental politics? Come visit our poster session! Two classes will be presenting their term paper projects on topics from every corner of the planet!

Profs. Michael Sheridan (ANTH) and Kemi Fuentes-George (PSCI)

Students, staff, alumni and the public are invited to attend this weekly nonpartisan discussion of recent political events, hosted by Professor Matthew Dickinson. Held in person and by zoom almost every Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm EST. Check the calendar for dates. No expertise assumed. All viewpoints welcome. To register for the zoom sessions, please contact Prof. Dickinson at his email: dickinso@middlebury.edu

Students, staff, alumni and the public are invited to attend this weekly nonpartisan discussion of recent political events, hosted by Professor Matthew Dickinson. Held in person and by zoom almost every Wednesday, 12:30-1:30 pm EST. Check the calendar for dates. No expertise assumed. All viewpoints welcome. To register for the zoom sessions, please contact Prof. Dickinson at his email: dickinso@middlebury.edu