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Citizenship and Democracy Week Begins Sept. 11

Citizenship and Democracy Week showcased with red stripes and red and white stars
Citizenship and Democracy Week showcased with red stripes and red and white stars
By Erika Nisbet, Student Writer for Office of Communications

The Department of Justice and Community Studies at Miami Regionals is hosting the third annual Citizenship and Democracy Week from September 11 - 14. A number of events will take place on the Middletown and Hamilton campuses and at the Downtown Hamilton center that explore civic engagement and the rights, privileges and responsibilities of American citizens.

Sept. 11 - Sept. 14, Democracy Wall, Hamilton campus. Stop by the Democracy Wall to give your thoughts on “What does it mean to be a good citizen?” Also, Voter Registration in Mosler Hall on the Hamilton Campus in room 105 and on the Oxford campus outside of Hanna House.

Sept. 11, Dr. Thomas Poetter “What It’s Like to Run for Congress” Lecture and Discussion, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m., in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus. Join us for a lively and illuminating discussion about American politics with Dr. Poetter, a 2014 candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives and author of Losing to Boehner, Winning America (2017). Dr. Poetter is Professor of Curriculum Studies in Miami’s Department of Educational Leadership.

Sept. 11, Film Showing and Discussion: “Citizen U.S.A.: A 50-State Road Trip,” 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m., in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus.

Sept. 11, Civic Volunteer Fair, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Come and learn about opportunities to get involved in your local community!

Sept. 12, Ohio Court of Appeals for the 12th District, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center. Come and watch your government in action! Observe as the Ohio Court of Appeals for the 12th District hears oral arguments in a special on-campus session. The panel includes Judges S. Powell and Piper and M. Powell.

Sept. 12, Faculty Lead Discussion: “Should the Electoral College be Replaced?”, 12 p.m. -1 p.m., on the Middletown campus in Johnston Hall room 120. Join us for a lively discussion about our method of electing U.S. Presidents! Moderated by Dr. Daniel Young, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Dr. John Forren, Department of Justice & Community Studies.

Sept. 12, Public Issues Forum: Where Have the Voters Gone?, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Miami Regionals’ Hamilton Downtown. Why aren’t more Americans voting in our elections? What, if anything, should be done to increase voter participation? What are the key elements of a healthy democracy? Come to this session to discuss these issues with others in the community.

Sept. 12, Student Training: How to Conduct a Voter Registration Drive, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in the Student Activities Conference Room in the Armstrong Student Center on the Oxford campus. This session is open to student leaders and organizations interested in organizing voter registration drives on campus this fall. The session will provide the information and strategies necessary to hold a successful voter registration drive.

Sept. 13, The State of Civic Health in Ohio Discussion, 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus. Join the authors of the National Conference on Citizenship’s Ohio Civic Health Index Report for an interactive discussion of civic engagement in the Buckeye State.

Sept. 13, Free Speech and Democracy, 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. in Mosler Hall on the Hamilton campus. Moderated by Dr. Daniel Hall, Department of Justice & Community Studies. Pizza provided by the Miami Hamilton Center for Civic Engagement

Sept. 13, Civic Action Event: Write for Rights, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in Mosler Hall on the patio at the Hamilton campus. Take action to voice your views! Facilitated by Dr. Kelli Johnson, Departments of English and Languages, Literatures & Writing.

Sept. 13, Film Showing and Faculty Lead Discussion: “Beyond the Dream,” 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus. Join us to watch a groundbreaking new documentary on American immigration policy and its effects. Sponsored by the Department of Justice & Community Studies.

Sept. 13, Hamilton City Council, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus. Watch your local government in action! Join us for a special on-campus meeting of the Hamilton City Council. Sponsored by the City of Hamilton and the Department of Justice & Community Studies.

Sept. 14, “Share Your Story” Oral History Project, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. in the Campus Quad on the Hamilton campus. What does citizenship mean to you? Share your thoughts in this oral history project aimed at capturing a diverse array of personal narratives.

Sept. 14, U.S. District Court Naturalization Ceremony, 10:00 a.m. on the Campus Quad at the Hamilton campus. Join us as we celebrate with approximately 140 new U.S. citizens and their families! Miami Hamilton is hosting the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio for a formal naturalization ceremony at which new citizens will take their oaths of citizenship. With music provided by Miami's Men’s Glee Club, this celebratory event will be held outside on the main quad of the Miami Hamilton campus. Rain location is Parrish Auditorium.

Sept. 14, “Read a Line, Get a Slice”, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. on the Schwarm Hall patio at the Hamilton campus. Participate in a time-honored act of citizenship – and get a free slice of pizza!

Sept. 14, Free Copies of the Constitution, 12 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Schwarm Hall on the patio on the Hamilton campus. Pick up your own copy of the U.S. Constitution!

Sept. 14, Citizenship and Social Justice: Historical Perspectives, 1:30 p.m. - 3 p.m. in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton campus. Join us as several scholars discuss the pursuit of social justice throughout American history. Presented by Professors Michael Carrafiello, J.A. Carter, Martin Johnson & Matthew Smith.

Sept. 14, For the People: A Conversation with Your Elected Officials, 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at Miami Regionals’ Hamilton Downtown.

Sept. 14, Freedom Summer App Event, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Thompson Hall on the Oxford campus. The Freedom Summer App is a location-based game that uses a mobile device and GPS technology to transport participants to 1964 to train as Freedom Summer volunteers. By understanding the struggles of the past, we can better reflect on what is at stake in the future. Come to Thompson Hall on Western Drive. For more information, contact Dr. Ann Elizabeth Armstrong by email at armstra2@miamioh.edu.

Sept. 14, Public Issues Forum: Where Have All the Voters Gone?, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. at Shideler Hall room 32 on the Oxford campus. Why aren’t more Americans voting in our elections? What, if anything, should be done to increase voter participation? What are the key elements of a healthy democracy? Come to this session to discuss these issues with others in the community. Advanced registration due Sept. 12 is necessary, register by email at communityengagement@miamioh.edu.

These events are also supported by Miami Regionals Departments of Justice and Community Studies, Miami Regionals Office of Diversity and Multicultural Services, the Department of History, the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, the Department of Humanities and Creative Arts, Hamilton’s campus Center for Civic Engagement, and the City of Hamilton.

All events are free and open to the public. For more information on these events, call (513)785-7702 or email criminaljustice@MiamiOH.edu. Miami University Regionals’ Hamilton campus is located at 1601 University Blvd. Miami University Regionals’ Middletown campus is located at 4200 N. University Blvd. Miami Regionals’ Hamilton Downtown is located at 221 High Street.