Democracy Conference Schedule: Full Schedule

Welcome, Democracy Scholars! We are delighted to invite you to American Independence and Identity at 250: Examining Democracy in the United States and Globally. This conference will be hosted at Gordon College on Thursday, June 11-Saturday, June 13, with events in Ken Olsen Science Center, Chase Hall, and Lane Student Center. Join for an optional tour of revolutionary sites in Boston, MA on Sunday, June 14.

Check out the schedule below and get excited for a phenomenal lineup of panel discussions, keynote addresses, and more!

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7:00pm EDT

Plenary Panel | "Possibilities for Covenantal Pluralism in the West"

Thursday June 11, 2026 7:00pm - 8:15pm EDT

Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

This panel is a launch event for a special issue of The Review of Faith & International Affairs titled “Possibilities for Covenantal Pluralism in the West.” Panelists will examine the contemporary legal, political, and cultural challenges of deep diversity in three country cases: the U.S., England, and Canada. Complimentary copies of the special issue will be available to conference attendees.
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Dennis Hoover (The Review of Faith and International Affairs)
Judd Birdsall (Georgetown University)
Robert Joustra (Calvin University)
Laura Olson (Texas Christian University)

Speakers

Dennis Hoover

Editor in Chief, The Review of Faith and International Affairs

Editor in Chief, The Review of Faith & International Affairs (RFIA). Senior Fellow, Institute for Global Engagement (IGE). Senior Fellow, Love Your Neighbor Community (LYNC). Co-editor of The Routledge Handbook of Religious Literacy, Pluralism, and Global Engagement.... Read More →

Judd Birdsall

Asst Professor of the Practice, Dept of Theology and Religious Studies, Georgetown University

Asst Professor of the Practice, Dept of Theology and Religious Studies, Georgetown University. Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs. Senior Editor, RFIA. Formerly at US State Dept and U.S. Institute of Peace.

Robert Joustra

Professor of Politics and Spoelhof Chair, Calvin University

Professor of Politics and Spoelhof Chair at Calvin University. Author, Christ and Covenant in Global Politics: A Christian Introduction to International Relations, Co-Editor, Power Politics and Moral Order: Three Generations of Christian Realism. Senior Editor, RFIA.

Laura Olson

Herman Brown Chair of Political Science, Texas Christian University

Herman Brown Chair of Political Science at Texas Christian University. Two-time U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Italy. Former editor-in-chief, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Author, Religion and Politics in America: Faith, Culture, and Strategic Choices.
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Thursday June 11, 2026 7:00pm - 8:15pm EDT
Chairs' Room (Ken Olsen Science Center)

Plenary Events

8:15pm EDT

Plenary Reception

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:15pm - 8:45pm EDT

Loggia (Ken Olsen Science Center)

Thursday June 11, 2026 8:15pm - 8:45pm EDT
Loggia (Ken Olsen Science Center)