The “American Politics & Community Today” series will explore a number of questions, including: what does it mean to be an American in the 21st century?  What does a model American do?  And, what responsibilities do Americans have to their communities and each other?  Using these questions as a starting point, participants in the “American Politics & Community Today” biweekly reading and discussion series for adults will engage with a variety of readings (including both fiction and non-fiction) to consider the current state of civic thought, feeling, and participation.

Beginning with an introductory session on February 15th, participants will meet at the TR Site every other Wednesday from 7-8:30pm through May 10th. During the course of seven sessions, they will discuss a variety of thematically linked texts with local historian and writer Dr. Sarah Handley-Cousins.

The “American Politics & Community Today” series is free and open to the public, although pre-registration is required since space is limited.  For more information about the series and acquiring books, please contact Lenora Henson, TR Site Director of Public Programming, via email or by telephone at (716) 884-0095.

"Theodore Roosevelt believed that the performance of civic duties by all Americans was essential to the health of the nation,” says Stanton Hudson, Executive Director of the TR Site.  “As a public institution, and in the spirit of Roosevelt, the TR Site seeks to promote greater awareness of the rights afforded to and responsibilities of Americans.  In conjunction with our educational mission, our hope is to encourage greater civic awareness and participation, especially among young people.  We’re delighted to partner with Humanities New York to bring this program to Western New York.”

Humanities New York’s Adult Reading & Discussion programs are designed to foster active reading and thinking, incorporating texts that serve as catalysts for civic engagement and cultural understanding, as well as personal reflection.  Adult Reading & Discussion programs are currently being held in communities across New York State.  More information about “American Politics & Community Today” can be found on the Humanities New York website: http://humanitiesny.org/. Humanities New York is a private, non-profit organization that helps all New Yorkers to lead vibrant intellectual lives by strengthening traditions of cultural literacy, critical inquiry, and civic participation.