2024 - Elgin Community College Humanities Center Hosts Panel Discussion on Civility in Politics

Elgin Community College (ECC) invites the public to its Humanities Center Speaker Series event, “Democratic Discord: Civility in Politics,” on Tuesday, September 24, 2024. This free event will explore the role of civility in democratic disagreements, featuring a talk and panel discussion with experts from various fields. The event takes place in Building E, Seigle Auditorium (Room E125), at the ECC campus.

The first half of the event will feature Philip Hardy, professor of political science and director of innovation and strategic partnerships at Benedictine University. Hardy will deliver a talk titled, “The View(s) From Our Partisan Lens(es): Competing Interpretations of Incivility and Political Violence in 21st Century America.” This presentation will run from 12:30 to 1:45 pm,  examining the complexities of political incivility and violence through various partisan perspectives.

Following Hardy’s presentation, the event will transition to a panel discussion from 1:45 to 3:15 pm on “The Value and Limits of Civility in Democratic Disagreement.” The panel includes:

• Philip Hardy – Political Science Professor, Benedictine University
• Junaid Afeef – Administrative Law Judge, Illinois Department of Public Health
• Farah Chalisa – Human Rights Attorney and Activist
• Danise Habun – Community Advocate, Former Chair of the Elgin Human Rights Commission

The panel will be moderated by Geoff Pynn, associate professor of humanities at ECC.

“While the idea of civility can be abused to silence dissent, respectful toleration of deep disagreement is essential for a well-functioning democracy,” Pynn said. “As civility wanes, polarization, partisan and moral divisions, and the threat of political violence all become more significant. The Humanities Center hopes this event will prompt fruitful conversation about these issues and model civil disagreement as we face another contentious election season. Participants have been chosen for their different perspectives on the issue, including both academic expertise and real-world experience.”

The ECC Humanities Center Speaker Series brings speakers of international, national, and regional significance to the college to address important topics in the humanities. Last year’s event featured a panel of eight formerly incarcerated individuals discussing their experiences studying humanities in prison.

For more information, visit elgin.edu/academics/humanities-center.