The North Olympic Library System, in partnership with the Clallam County League of Women Voters and Humanities Washington, invites community members to examine the impacts of political incivility in America with Dr. Cornell Clayton, a lecturer with the 2015 Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau.
Clayton will lead this free conversation at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Sequim Library, 630 N. Sequim Ave., and again at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Port Angeles Library, 2210 S. Peabody St.
Does political incivility threaten American democracy? Is there a correlation between political incivility and productivity? In his discussion of these questions, Clayton will chart the political changes that have taken place in the past 30 years, challenge assumptions about the relationship between civility and democratic participation, and explore factors that contribute to political polarization.
Thanks to funding provided by the National Endowment for the Humanities, free copies of “Civility and American Democracy” — co-edited by Clayton — will be available for audience members to take home.
About Dr. Cornell Clayton
Clayton has been a visiting fellow and lecturer at institutes and universities around the world. He is the director of the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service at Washington State University, where he also serves as the Thomas S. Foley Distinguished Professor of Government.
Clayton serves as editor of Political Research Quarterly and as a section chair of the American Political Association. He earned a Doctorate of Philosophy from Oxford University. Past distinctions include Fulbright and Truman Scholarships, the C.O. Distinguished Professorship and the Wayne N. Aspinall Chair.
About Humanities Washington
Humanities Washington sparks conversation and critical thinking using story as a catalyst, nurturing thoughtful and engaged communities across the state. Speakers Bureau is one of Humanities Washington’s oldest and most popular programs.
A roster of 28 cultural experts and scholars provides low-cost, high-quality public presentations across the state, encouraging audiences to think, learn and engage in conversation. These diverse and engaging speakers cover a variety of topics, including popular culture, photography, architecture, literature, food, film, and history.
For more about the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, visit www.humanities.org/programs/speakers.
More information
For additional information about this program, visit www.nols.org and select “Events,” contact the Port Angeles Library at 417-8500 or send an e-mail to jfelton@nols.org.
Programs like these are offered free to the public with the support of the Port Angeles Friends of the Library and the Friends of Sequim Library. To receive regular updates about upcoming library events and programs, “Like” or “Follow” NOLS on Facebook.
