The Paideia Endowment Governing Board invites members of the Luther College community to propose presentations on the 2020-2021 theme "Building Community in a Changing Society."

As a liberal arts college, Luther is committed to a way of learning that moves us beyond immediate interests and present knowledge into a larger world—an education that disciplines minds and develops whole persons equipped to understand and confront a changing society.  (Luther College Mission Statement)

As we navigate education during  a pandemic, the Luther College Mission Statement’s call to be prepared to “understand and confront a changing society” carries a new urgency. The Paideia Endowment Governing Board invites members of the Luther College community to propose presentations on the theme “Building Community in a Changing Society.”  What can we learn from the past and the present about different ways that communities survive, adapt, and flourish in periods of drastic change? 

• forming educational communities outside the traditional classroom
• climate change and sustainable communities
• new forms of community building through creative practices
• communities that cross the boundaries of a politically polarized society 
• art and literature about communities during crises
• communities and public health
• role of data analysis in understanding communities
• responding to systemic inequalities that divide communities

This theme could be developed in many directions. As always, we hope participants will address the theme from the perspective of a wide variety of texts drawn from the arts, sciences, and humanities.. As always, we hope participants will address the theme from the perspective of a wide variety of texts drawn from the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Proposals for lectures, debates, artistic performances, panel discussions, faculty/student collaboration and other presentation formats are welcomed.  Participants will typically offer a 40-45 minute presentation followed by questions and responses from the audience. A small honorarium will be awarded to participants who submit a manuscript of their presentation for possible publication in Agora: The Liberal Arts at Luther College.Everyone is encouraged to submit a tentative presentation title and a brief proposal (250-500 words) by Monday, June 1.  

For further information, contact members of the Paideia Governing Board: Kathy Reed, Storm Bailey, Mike Johnson, Mike Garcia, and Kevin Kraus.