Citizenship Under Siege

FAIN: LD-234387-16

Association of American Colleges and Universities (Washington, DC 20009-1604)
Caryn McTighe Musil (Project Director: June 2015 to November 2017)

One national and seven regional forums and related public programs at community colleges exploring the changing definitions and challenges to American citizenship.

“We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice...” Yet who is seen as belonging to “We,” not just legally with full rights, but in terms of culture, language, and recognized identities? And can one fully practice it if curtailed by economic inequality or racism? Entitled citizenship is still differentiated by multiple factors. In an age of fractious differences when finding common ground seems elusive, to bridge the rifts The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) and The Democracy Commitment (TDC), joined by seven community colleges, will orchestrate a series of eight public forums under the common theme, Citizenship Under Siege. We believe this tapestry of national and regional forums underscores how the humanities still are “the heart of the matter, the keeper of the republic—a source of national memory and civic vigor, cultural understanding..., and the ideals we hold in common.”

Associated Products

Citizenship Under Siege (Web Resource)
Title: Citizenship Under Siege
Author: Association of American Colleges and Universities
Abstract: Citizenship Under Siege "We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice. . ." So begins the Preamble to the US Constitution. But who is recognized as belonging to "We the People," not just legally with full rights and responsibilities, but also in terms of culture, language, and recognized identities? And if granted citizenship by law, can one fully practice it if curtailed by economic inequality or by racism? Who is entitled to be seen as an American citizen is still entangled with issues of social justice, race, religious belief, property, wealth, national origins, gender, language, and ethnicity. In an age of fractious differences about this topic when finding common ground seems elusive, The Association of American Colleges and Universities and The Democracy Commitment are joining with seven community colleges to orchestrate a series of public forums, each with accompanying programs and educational resources to bridge the rifts. Organized under the common theme, Citizenship Under Siege and supported by a grant from The National Endowment for the Humanities, the events are framed through the powerful historic, ethical, and narrative lenses of the humanities. We believe this tapestry of forums underscores how the humanities still are "the heart of the matter, the keeper of the republic—a source of national memory and civic vigor, cultural understanding and communication, individual fulfillment, and the ideals we hold in common" (American Academy of Arts & Sciences, 2013, 9).
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.aacu.org/citizenship

Clashes Over Citizenship: Webinar Series on Promoting Listening, Learning, and Engagement (Web Resource)
Title: Clashes Over Citizenship: Webinar Series on Promoting Listening, Learning, and Engagement
Author: The Democracy Commitment
Author: Association of American Colleges and Universities
Abstract: Clashes Over Citizenship: Webinar Series on Promoting Listening, Learning, and Engagement The US Constitution’s preamble speaks of “We the People”—but who is considered part of that sacred circle, and how has this group varied over time? When national identity is hotly contested, what does it mean to experience citizenship as partial, denied, or fully acknowledged? How can the humanities illuminate differing narratives and open up space for understanding, connections, and shared visions of the future? The Association of American Colleges and Universities and The Democracy Commitment invite faculty, staff, students, and campus community partners to join in one or all of three FREE webinars. These events are designed to expand campus expertise on how to hold constructive conversations about contentious issues and how to institute practices in and out of the classroom that foster engagement across differences.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: http://www.aacu.org/citizenship/events-resources

Diversity & Democracy: Winter 2017 Vol.20 No.1 (Database/Archive/Digital Edition)
Title: Diversity & Democracy: Winter 2017 Vol.20 No.1
Author: Association of American Colleges and Universities
Abstract: Citizenship Under Siege Humanities in the Public Square The Preamble to the US Constitution speaks of “We the People”—but who counts as “We the People” is a hotly contested question. In Citizenship Under Siege, a project organized by AAC&U and The Democracy Commitment with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, seven community colleges used the humanities to explore this topic. Featuring the efforts of project participants and educators engaged in similar work, this issue of Diversity & Democracy illustrates the potential of the humanities to illuminate issues of identity and belonging.
Year: 2017
Primary URL: http://www.aacu.org/diversitydemocracy/2017/winter
Primary URL Description: This issue of Diversity & Democracy was funded in part through a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Access Model: free online

Immigration and Community Challenges in Lowell Public Forum (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Immigration and Community Challenges in Lowell Public Forum
Writer: Middlesex Community College
Director: MCC Department of Communication
Producer: Middlesex Community College
Abstract: Immigration and Community Challenges in Lowell Public Forum Published on Apr 15, 2016 Video from Middlesex Community College's public forum, titled “Immigration and Community Challenges in Lowell,” held from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, in the Lowell National Historical Park Visitor Center, Lowell, MA. Featuring: Christoph Strobel, Associate Professor of History, UMass Lowell Bopha Malone, Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association, Enterprise Bank, member of MCC Board of Trustees; Julia Gavin, Director of Programming for Lowell’s Coalition for a Better Acre David Kalivas, MCC History Professor and Director of the Commonwealth Honors Program, will moderate Supported by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Association of American Colleges & Universities, and The Democracy Commitment, the forum is co-sponsored by MCC, Lowell National Historical Park, Coalition for a Better Acre, and the Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPldnXWBvOo
Access Model: free online
Format: Web

Citizenship Under Siege Public Forum -- Miami Dade College (Film/TV/Video Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Citizenship Under Siege Public Forum -- Miami Dade College
Writer: Miami Dade College
Director: Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy iCED
Producer: Institute for Civic Engagement and Democracy iCED
Abstract: Citizenship Under Siege Public Forum -- Miami Dade College Published on Aug 8, 2016 Summary of the AAC&U/NEH/TDC "Citizenship Under Siege: Democracy for All?" Public Forum on Immigrant Women and Citizenship held May 17, 2016. The Forum was organized and hosted by Miami Dade College and the Florida Immigrant Coalition, and is part of the National Endowment for the Humanities "Humanities in the Public Square" initiative to foster meaningful conversation on the most contentious and pressing topics of the day.
Year: 2016
Primary URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHUjDZJKq_k
Access Model: free online
Format: Web

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