The Inaugural ISF Symposium, “The Idea of Democracy”, will take place on Friday April 17, 2026 from 2:00-5:00 PM in Philosophy Hall room 223.
Professor Daniela Cammack in Political Science, also an ISF Advisory Board member, will present “The Idea of Democracy”: Today, democracy is often defined as self-rule– the rule of all the people over themselves. But the ancient Greeks would have called modern democracy “electoral oligarchy,” meaning the rule of a few officeholders over the rest. What they meant by Demokratia was the rule of an assemble crows (demos) over officeholders. How did they pull it off? Could we do the same? Prof. Dylan Riley in Sociology, also an ISF Advisory Board member, will respond and a discussion with ISF majors will follow.
This is a great opportunity for ISF students to see academic research in action, meet the ISF teaching faculty and the faculty advisory board for the major in a social setting, and socialize with fellow ISF majors over food and drinks! Sign up to attend by April 10th: https://forms.gle/vc55e8C2WoqbDZMPA.
Program details:
2:00PM: Coffee reception with ISF majors, teaching faculty, and faculty advisory board.
2:30-4:00PM: Presentation by Prof. Daniela Cammack. Response by Prof. Dylan Riley. General discussion with ISF majors.
4:00-5:00PM: Dinner reception with ISF majors, teaching faculty, and faculty advisory board.
Add the event to your bCal so you don’t forget!