Putnam to deliver lecture exploring modern challenges facing American democracy
FREDERICK, Md., Feb. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Hood College is honored to announce that renowned political scientist and professor Robert Putnam, Ph.D., will visit campus to deliver a lecture, titled "The Erosion of American Democracy and the Upswing," on Monday, April 7, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Rosenstock Hall Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.
This lecture is offered as part of the Hanson Lecture Series, which invites thought leaders from around the world to engage the Hood College community and the public on issues that matter today. Previous lecturers include poet Nikki Giovanni, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams and author Brittney Cooper.
Putnam, a highly celebrated political scientist and professor emeritus at Harvard University, is one of America's leading voices on social and civic issues. In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Putnam with the National Humanities Medal, the nation's highest honor for contributions to the humanities. Additionally, Putnam has received 16 honorary degrees from eight different countries.
"As an undergraduate student, I had the opportunity to read Dr. Putnam's seminal work, 'Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of the American Community,'" said Paige Eager, Ph.D., provost and professor of political science. "To welcome Dr. Putnam to Hood's campus is a wonderful honor as a political scientist. Grounded in the social sciences, Dr. Putnam has contributed to both intellectual discourse and action-oriented strategies around the issues of civil society, civil discourse, and the health of American democracy."
Putnam has extensively researched the state of civic engagement and social cohesion in the U.S., authoring 15 books which have been translated into 20 different languages. His most recent work, entitled "The Upswing: How America Came Together a Century Ago and How We Can Do It Again," examines the historical forces that have shaped democracy in America, offering a compelling narrative of decline and hope.
About Hood College
Hood College is an independent, liberal arts college, offering 30 bachelor's degrees, four pre-professional programs, 20 master's degree programs, three doctorates and 13 post-baccalaureate certificates. Located in historic Frederick, near Washington, D.C., Baltimore and the I-270 technology corridor, Hood gives students access to countless internships and research opportunities.
Media Contact
Mason Cavalier, Hood College, 301-696-3802, [email protected], www.hood.edu
SOURCE Hood College
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