The Center for Economic and Civic Learning at Ball State hosts an annual Civic Learning Symposium. This event serves as a focal point for faculty, educators, and community members to come together, share insights, and explore innovative approaches to civic education and engagement. For inquiries about the Annual Civic Learning Symposium, please contact CECL at cecl@bsu.edu

Read About the 2023 Civic Learning Symposium.

2025 Conference on Civic Studies & Democracy 

"Character, Aesthetics, and Community: The Interplay Between Community, Art, Politics, and Civic Identity"

The 2025 Conference on Civic Studies and Democracy invites scholars, educators, and practitioners to explore the multifaceted connections between character development, aesthetic engagement, and civic identity. This year’s theme centers on the vital interplay between art, political science, and the dynamics of community, highlighting how these domains shape our understanding of citizenship and democratic participation.

Character and Civic Life: Our society is in a moral and relational crisis, driven by isolation and a lack of moral education. Institutions that once cultivated character and communal values have diminished, leaving individuals disconnected and communities fragmented. This conference seeks to revive discussions on moral formation within civic contexts, emphasizing the role of education, social structures, and leadership in nurturing character as a foundation for democracy. 

The Role of Aesthetics in Civic Engagement: Martin Buber underscored the profound impact of relational engagement. Aesthetic experiences—whether through visual art, literature, or performance—offer opportunities to transcend transactional interactions and foster deeper connections within communities. These shared experiences cultivate empathy, belonging, and a sense of civic responsibility

Community and the Art of Democracy: Peter Levine, in What Should We Do?, emphasizes the necessity of collective action in civic life. True democracy is not merely about individual rights but about the shared responsibility to build and sustain communities. Art and political discourse intersect as tools to challenge power, inspire social movements, and reimagine the civic identity of communities

The conference aims to:

• Explore how character education contributes to community resilience and democratic engagement.
• Examine the aesthetic dimensions of political life, including how art inspires, critiques, and shapes civic identity.
• Discuss strategies to reintegrate civics, character formation, and relationships into schools, workplaces, and public life.
• Highlight case studies and theoretical frameworks that connect the arts, political theory, and civic practice.

Call for Proposals: We welcome submissions from diverse disciplines, including but not limited to political science, education, philosophy, sociology, and the arts. Proposals should address the theme by presenting original research, practical applications, or case studies that engage with the intersections of character, aesthetics, and community in democratic life.

Key Dates:

• Proposal Submission Deadline: June 15, 2025
• Notification of Acceptance: July 7, 2025
• Conference Dates: September 25-27, 2025
• Submit Proposals HERE

Proposals should include the following details:

• Presentation Title (for the program listing)
• Names of Presenters
• Description for the Conference Program (subject to editing by organizers)
• Format (e.g., lecture, panel discussion, workshop, interactive session)
• Duration (20, 40, 60, or 90 minutes)
• Technical and Accessibility Requirements
• Questions or Comments for Conference Organizers (optional)

We encourage proposals that explore topics such as:

• The role of education in community and civic engagement.
• The aesthetic dimensions of political life and how art influences civic identity.
• Strategies for reintegrating civics, character formation, and community engagement into education and our public life.
• Case studies and theoretical perspectives connecting arts, political theory, and civic practice.
• How educational institutions can instill character and social responsibility.
• How art, literature, public monuments, visual arts, music, and performance can shape public memory. 
• How art has historically contributed to our democracy. 
• How we bridge the divide between civic knowledge, character education, and real-world engagement. 
• The role does architecture, public space, and urban design play in promoting civic discourse and participation. 
• How digital platforms shape civic identity and participation in democratic life.