The Alliance for Civics in the Academy hosts "Historical Thinking and Democratic Citizenship" with Mark Clark, Suzanne Marchand, Jeffrey Collins, and Jonathan Gienapp on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, from 9:00–10:00 a.m. PT.
Where does history fit within broader efforts to renew civic education in higher education? What can the historical method contribute to the development of civic competencies? And in an era of polarized historical memory, how can colleges and universities teach history in ways that strengthen democratic culture? This session examines the distinctive contributions of historical study in cultivating informed and engaged citizens. Panelists will consider how history departments and civic initiatives can collaborate to better align curricular goals and advance a shared vision for civic learning.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Mary Clark is a Professor of Law and Provost Emerita at the University of Denver. With expertise in the areas of higher education law, women’s legal history, legal ethics, judicial politics, and property, Provost Clark also holds an appointment as professor in the Sturm College of Law. Prior to being named provost at DU, Provost Clark served as interim provost, deputy provost, and dean of faculty at American University, associate dean for faculty & academic affairs at AU’s law school, director of its doctor of juridical science program, and acting director of its Law and Government Program.
Jeffrey Collins is a historian of ideas, with a focus on early modern political thought. He is the author of two books — The Allegiance of Thomas Hobbes (Oxford, 2005) and In the Shadow of Leviathan: John Locke and the Politics of Conscience (Cambridge, 2020) — as well as many articles and book chapters on subjects such as religious war, toleration, atheism, church and state. Collins is a regular contributor of reviews to both the Times Literary Supplement and the Wall Street Journal.
Suzanne Marchand is LSU Systems Boyd (University) Professor of European Intellectual History at Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. She usually writes about the history of the humanities in Germany and Austria, but her most recent book, Porcelain: A History from the Heart of Europe (Princeton, 2020), turned to material culture and business history. Coauthoring two textbooks, one in European and one in world history, taught her a great deal about survey teaching. As president of the German Studies Association (2012–14), and as councilor for the AHA’s Professional Division (2016–19), she championed the representation of all regions and institutional types. Her commitment to cross-disciplinary conversation has led to service on numerous editorial boards and fellowships, many of them outside the US, and inspired her to cofound LSU’s Center for Collaborative Knowledge. Her fascination with the long afterlife of the ancient world has made her particularly eager to advocate for courses that treat premodern periods, as well as those that embrace the history of the sciences, arts, and religion. Recently, her work on the history of Herodotus reception has given her new affection and respect for our “father of history,” who was also known as “the father of lies.”
Jonathan Gienapp is a historian of the United States and its constitutional order. He teaches at Stanford University where he has appointments in both the History department and the Law School. He is the author of two books on American constitutional history and interpretation that have garnered wide acclaim. He is also a celebrated teacher who has been awarded numerous accolades for his teaching and dedication to students. He has lectured across the country on the history of the nation’s founding and the U.S. Constitution. He is actively involved in deepening the public’s understanding of constitutional history through public-facing writing and interviews and extensive work with institutions such as the National Constitution Center and the United States Marine Corp. As a member of the Historians Council on the Constitution at the Brennan Center for Justice, he helps advise legal experts on the historical dimensions of constitutional issues before the Supreme Court of the United States. As part of this activity, he has contributed to several amicus briefs to the Supreme Court. He is also heavily involved in various initiatives to reinvigorate civics education in America.
