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Protecting Constitutional Rights: A series of local discussions on national issues
The most recent talk, [5] has been held. See below for details. This talk on humor and Freedom is sponsored by the Penn State School of International Affairs, the Penn State Center for Global Studies, and the Central PA Chapter of the ACLU. For more information on talk [5], contact the Central PA Chapter of the ACLU or the speakers directly. The viewpoints in these talks are personal opinions of the speakers and are not necessarily a reflection of their organizations or the sponsors.
This is a series that can be repeated by Zoom or in person depending on location. The last four sets of speakers are willing to repeat their talks.
If you liked this, you might also like our book project, Readers against Tyranny.
[5] This Isn’t Funny: How Humor Helps Advance Freedom in Times of Crisis
Sophia A. McClennen
Professor of International Affairs and Comparative Literature
Director, Center for Global Studies
Professor of Political Science
Penn State
25 Feb 2026, 4pm-5:30pm
Katz Auditorium
(PSU Law School Building)
Free and open to the public.
Audio will be recorded & streamed: https://psu.zoom.us/j/96623170699
In moments of democratic back-sliding, repression, and political fear, humor often looks trivial—or irresponsible. Yet, in practice, it isn’t. In this talk, McClennen and Wright draw on their collaborative research to show how laughter can expose authoritarian absurdities, sustain civic engagement, and lower the costs of dissent when traditional forms of opposition are dangerous or blocked. While humor may not be the perfect foil for repression in every circum-stance, our work challenges the idea that resistance must always be solemn—and makes the case that humor can be one of democracy’s most resilient defen-ces. And find out about the photo above.
Also see the related open access (free) book Pranksters vs Autocrats
This talk as an academic flyer. (3Mb)
This talk as a snazzy flyer. (27Mb)
Protecting Constitutional Rights: A series of local discussions on national issues
The first four talks were held 7-8 pm, with 30 min. questions following. Social and light refreshments were held before. They were free and open to the public.
These talks were sponsored by the University Baptist and Brethren Church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Centre County, Keystone Indivisible, PA United, and the Central PA Chapter of the ACLU. They were held at the Universalist Church [1], and the University Baptist and Brethren Church [2,3,4], and on Zoom [2,3,4]. Between 70 and 98 people attended each talk.
For more information, contact the University Baptist and Brethren Church, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Centre County, or the Central PA Chapter of the ACLU. The viewpoints in these talks are personal opinions of the speakers and are not necessarily a reflection of their organizations or the sponsors.
This is a series that can be repeated by Zoom or in person depending on location. The last three speakers are willing to repeat their talks.
If you liked this, you might also like our book project, Readers against Tyranny.
[1] Civil Liberties and Democracy
Dr. Michael Berkman
The McCourtney Institute for Democracy
Penn State
28 april 2025
Slides not available
Video not available
Restrictions on the media, universities, and law firms, along with the deportation of international college students, all raise concerns about the future of our civil liberties. In this talk we’ll discuss the tension inherent in our democracy between government power and individual liberties, focusing on the importance of the Bill of Rights from the founding through today. What can we do to help?
Authoritarianism in Color - Penn ACLU - Final.pdf[2] Authoritarianism
in Color
Prof. Aida A. Hozic
U. of Florida
5 may 2025
Video not available
How to understand how democracy dies in other countries with several examples. What we can do in the US to protect our constitution, both as large organizations as well as individuals. What can we do to help?
TCT kg-trimmed.mp4[3] Project 2025: Conservative Mandate or Manifesto?
Dr. Kristy Ganoe
Penn State
12 may 2025
Video, click above
Project 2025 is the 900-page political strategy that seems to be guiding national executive orders and other policy decisions. Join us for a summary of the strategies proposed and an analysis of the rhetorical techniques that this document uses. Workshop ideas for how Americans can and should respond to the implementation of these plans. What can we do to help maintain and rebuild our democratic institutions?
TCT rb-trimmed.mp4[4] Contemporary Threats to National Security and the Constitution
Ray Bilger
National security officer (ret.)
19 may 2025
This talk was done without slides.
Video, click above
What is happening with the intelligence agencies? People are being fired at both ends of their careers, and senior leaders are being fired and replaced with political appointees to agencies which are by design necessarily apolitical. What does this mean, and what can we do to help?
This program as a PDF brochure.
Last updated 27Feb26
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