Monday, October 6: The Truth About Turn Out
Presenter: Dr. Pat Supplee, League of Women Voter’s
Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: The 18 – 29 year old vote was 50% in 2020 but down to 42% in 2024. The Truth About Turnout, a program offered by Energizing Young Voters (an initiative of the League of Women Voters of NJ), engages students in an analysis of turnout data focusing on their own age group and identity. They identify who has the power now — and who could have the power now — if they turn out to vote, impressing upon them with possibilities if they participate as citizens. The program ends with a role-play game to challenge typical excuses for not voting.

Monday, October 6: The Myth of American Independence: From taking a stand to standing together
Presenter: Laura McCullough, English
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: Part of our great American heritage is the concept of independence because it allowed us to stand up against an oppressive British king and establish one of the most important democracies the globe has ever seen; they’re always two sides to a coin, however, and the other side is the myth of independence that evolved into a belief that everyone can make it on their own, pull themselves up by their bootstraps, no matter what they are born into, they can become rich, and “rugged individualism” became part of the American psychology. From a Care Ethics perspective that focuses on human interdependence, this presentation will explore the evolution of relational ethics that can reboot our sense of democracy, civil engagement, as well as invigorate our personal relationships.

Tuesday October 7: Maud Dahme, Holocaust survivor
Time: 10:30 a.m. to 12  noon
Location: Student Life Center 106
Description: If we forget the past, we are doomed to repeat our past mistakes. Maud Dahme will do a presentation on her experience as a Holocaust survivor. She has made it her life mission to educate others on her experience. Maud was four when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940. Deportations to so-called work camps began in 1942. Over the remainder of World War II, she and her sister were hidden by several families. Dahme told attendees at the 2014 New Jersey Hall of Fame induction ceremony, “It’s so important to remember the righteous Christians who saved thousands of Jews from the Nazis.” A first-time collaboration between Civility Week and CPS’ Lifelong Learning. Free seats for Brookdale students and staff. NOTE: Because this is a Lifelong learning Program, additional registration required HERE.

Tuesday, October 7: Civic Engagement Event with Elected Officials and special guests
Presenter: Jonathan Moschberger, Political Science
Time: 11:45am – 1:15pm
Location: Navesink Rooms, Student Life Center
Description: This excellent annual event produced by Political Science will feature an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and panelists who will provide insights into the critical issues surrounding civic engagement.

Tuesday, October 7: Remembering Democracy: The End of the Grand Experiment
Presenter: Thomas Cioppa, Political Science
Time: 1:30pm – 2:45pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: Join POLI 105-003RL as they open their class to the public. This lecture begins with an exploration of some of the rights and privileges articulated in the U.S. Constitution along with a brief history on the “grand convention,” the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The lecture then moves into a factual accounting of the ways in which the current administration has trampled on these rights and privileges, pushing the USA into a full-blown constitutional crisis. The lecture will close with some thoughts on “how democracies die,” drawing on the 2018 best-selling book by Levitsky and Ziblatt.

Wednesday, October 8: Creative Tensions: Where do you stand?
Presenter: Angela Kariotis, Center for Transformative Learning
Time: 11:00am – 1:00pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: Join us for Creative Tensions, an immersive, interactive event where you won’t just talk about your beliefs – you’ll physically take a stand. Through exercises, role, play, and debate, we’ll explore the complexities of civic life, decision-making, and how our beliefs are shaped. Expect to listen, move, challenge, and be challenged in a dynamic space that asks us not just to state our views, but to examine them. Step up. Democracy depends on it. Are you in?

Wednesday, October 8: The Propaganda Machine: How Generative A.I. Undermines Civility and Democracy
Presenter: Leah Coppola, English instructor, writing tutor, and scholar of the rhetoric of science and technology
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: In May 2025, the A.I.-powered X (formerly Twitter) account Grok began responding to every message tweeted at it by bringing up “white genocide” in South Africa. “White genocide” is a racist conspiracy theory pushed by far-right extremists, and someone at X had clearly manipulated Grok’s programming to spread this idea. This is just one shocking example of how bad-faith actors are using generative A.I., such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot, to poison the well of public discourse and undermine our collective ability for fact-based democratic decision-making. However, even normal uses of generative A.I. also work in subtler ways to shape our perceptions by presenting us with a view of reality favorable to those already in power. In this talk, audiences will be shown why we should be wary of the power of A.I. to manipulate democracy and erode our standards of civility.

Wednesday, October 8: History Trivia Night with Student Life
Time: 6:00pm
Location: Navesink Rooms, Student Life Center
Description: Join us for a fun and fast-paced History Trivia Night as part of Civility Week at Brookdale! Test your knowledge of U.S. history, civics and revolutionary moments that shaped our democracy. Compete in teams, win prizes, and learn something new about the courage it takes to build – and protect – a just society. All students welcome! Produced by Student Life and Activities and the Student Life Board, Civility Week collaborators.

Thursday, October 9: Accessibility: It’s Not Just for People with Disabilities
Presenter: Ernest Oversen, Director, Accessibility Services & Johnathan Shaloum, Director, Teaching & Learning Center
Time: 10:30am – 11:15am
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: Access is democratic! Join a conversation about accessibility in higher education. We will discuss the historical background of accessibility laws & requirements, how Brookdale Community College applies those requirements, and why accessible design is beneficial to all students. This talk will include an overview of how the Accessibility Services meets the needs of individual students and how the Teaching & Learning Center provides technology tools to promote accessibility for all.

Thursday, October 9: “Yes, you can!” How to *actually* run for office
Presenter: Dina Long, English
Time: 11:45am – 12:15pm
Location: Paramount Theater Room/MLK Lounge, Student Life Center
Description: Let’s take the mystery away from running for elected office. It’s not as complicated, or expensive, as you might think. This presentation will break down the process and cover strategies to not just launch a campaign for local office but also how to win it.

Thursday, October 9: Money and Politics – Protected Speech or “Buyer’s Market”?
Presenter: Bruce K. Brickman, ESQ.
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: This session explores the far-reaching impact of two Supreme Court decisions – Citizens Untied v. FEC (2010) and McCutcheon v. FEC (2014) – that reshaped the role of money in American politics. By granting corporations and unions the same free speech rights as individuals and removing aggregate limits on individuals political contributions, these rulings opened the floodgates for unlimited, often anonymous spending through Super PACs and dark money implications: Have we returned to a plutocratic past where the ultra-wealthy buy political influence? And how can everyday voters make their voices heard in a system flooded with “money-empowered speech”?

Friday, October 10: Living Room Conversation: Finding the Courage We Need for Democracy
Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm
Location: Twin Lights, Student Life Center
Description: Civility Week traditionally ends with a Living Room Conversation. This closing experience invites us to reflect on the week’s events and ideas, share perspectives made or challenged, and identify ways forward, together, as a community. An open forum conversation and guided discussion. All are welcomed and wanted.

Click Here to Register