As part of Grinnell College’s community of inquiry, all are invited to participate in Declarations of Independence, a series of events and community dialogues to mark 250 years since the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.
Speaker Series
Additional events and opportunities for dialogue are being added as they are confirmed. Please refer to the campus calendar for a list of all events and community dialogues.
Discussions and Discovery
AI and the Future of Democracy Panel
Monday, October 5, 4:15 p.m., HSSC 1325
Alums Robert Gehorsam ’76, Lorelei Kelly ’88, and Toby Cain ’12, and Bruce Schneier, will take part in an AI and democracy panel discussion moderated by President Anne F. Harris at 4:15 p.m., on Mon., Oct. 5, in HSSC S1325. Schneier is the co-author of Rewiring Democracy: How AI Will Transform our Politics, Government, and Citizenship. The panel will explore how AI impacts civic life and what Grinnellians can do about it. Light refreshments will be available.
George Washington's Mount Vernon
Thursday, November 19, 4:15 p.m.
K. Allison Wickens '94 (vice president for education at George Washington's Mount Vernon) and Professor Sarah Purcell '92 will hold a public conversation on the theme "Why George Washington Matters Today."
The American Revolution at 250 Poster Session
Thursday, December 10, 2:30 p.m.
Professor of History Sarah Purcell's '92 history seminar examines the founding of the United States upon its 250th anniversary to assess the question: What do battles over the meaning of the American Revolution accomplish? Students will present their work at this interactive poster session.
Gatherings
Declaration Dinners
Join President Harris for dinner to delve into the following phrases from the Declaration of Independence and their lasting or changing meanings.
Sign up here.
September 22
How is a truth held to be "self-evident"?
October 5 (Registration is Full)
Why/Are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness "unalienable Rights"?
November 11
Where do you perceive or experience the "consent of the governed"?
December 9
What is a "candid world"?
Grinnell Faculty Panel
Join faculty to explore teaching and research relationships to foundational texts of democracy in the United States. Watch the Campus Memo for dates and times.
Rosenfield Declarations of Independence Series
Four student-led discussion sessions will be part of a Rosenfield Declarations of Independence program this fall, which will delve into aspects of the Declaration of Independence and other U.S. founding documents and principles as they are experienced by students and campus. Sessions held over lunch from noon–1 p.m., will be hosted by a Rosenfield student leader and include a faculty member who will add their expertise to the discussion.
The first session, Free Speech, Student Speech, and Academic Freedom will be hosted by Sasha Fine ’27, on Thurs., Oct. 1, in JRC 209. Discussion prompts include, How are the protections, limits, questions, and histories of student speech and academic freedom experienced by students and campus members? How has the First Amendment engaged U.S. imperialism and colonialism? What are the repercussions at Grinnell?
Session spaces are limited. Use the Qualtrics registration form to sign up for the first session on Oct. 1, and the three sessions to follow:
- 10.14 JRC 209 - Dissent and Democracy - Sasha Fine '27
- How is dissent a fundamental part of democracy? How does dissent contribute to a pluralistic democracy? What does it mean to dissent in democracy, and what are the practices of dissent? How - and where - are those being experienced by students and campus?
- 11.9 JRC 209 - Comparative Constitutions - Hana Hashimoto ’27
- The U.S. Constitution is one of many in the world today; how has it influenced or been imposed on those of other countries? How do citizens of other countries experience their constitutions? When and how do students experience the principles of the U.S. Constitution?
- 12.1 JRC 119 - Defining “Declaration” - Rachael Feldacker ‘30
- The Declaration of Independence is not a governing document; while it is often referred to as foundational to the United States, it does not create a governance structure or government. So what is it? How do we define this document and how do students experience its impact?
Cover to Cover
The Cover to Cover community reading series returns for its fifth year in fall 2026, as President Anne F. Harris, along with members of the College’s senior leadership team, invites students, staff, and faculty to delve into a selection of contemporary books from “Cover to Cover.”
Eight works have been selected for the 2026-27 academic year. In the spirit of fostering discussions, in-person participation is limited per session. Selections for the fall semester focus on experiences of democracy and the texts of the Declaration of Independence.
Registrations will be honored on a first-come, first-served basis. Check the Campus Memo for registration information a few weeks prior to each session date.
Participants who do not own the book under discussion will be provided with access to an online or print copy.
All discussions for registered participants will be held from noon to 1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
