Name: Early Afternoon Panel 3 | Pedagogy Workshop "A Comparativist, International Relations Specialist, and Political Theorist Walk into a Classroom: Thoughts on Teaching on Democracy"
Start: 2026-06-12T13:45:00-0400
End: 2026-06-12T15:15:00-0400

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!

Early Afternoon Panel 3 | Pedagogy Workshop "A Comparativist, International Relations Specialist, and Political Theorist Walk into a Classroom: Thoughts on Teaching on Democracy"

Friday June 12, 2026 1:45pm - 3:15pm EDT

KOS 109 (Ken Olsen Science Center)

This workshop consists of three members of Calvin’s Department of Politics and Economics. We will address how teaching about democracy in our subfields has changed over the last decade. We will then segue into explaining a few classroom exercises that we have adopted to engage students and end with Biblical or Reformed perspectives on faith-learning integration when discussing this topic. We will leave ample opportunity for Q&A and sharing.

Tracy Kuperus (Calvin University)
Joel Westra (Calvin University)
Micah Watson (Calvin University)

Speakers

Tracy Kuperus

Professor of Politics and Economics, Calvin University

Professor Tracy Kuperus has taught political science at Westmont College, Gordon College, and Calvin University. Her research interests include citizen mobilization with a focus on African youth, democratization, and religion and politics.

Joel Westra

Professor of Politics; Chair of the Department of Politics and Economics, Calvin University

Joel Westra is Professor of Politics and Chair of the Department of Politics and Economics at Calvin University. His scholarly interests include international organizations and law, international security, international relations theory, and US foreign policy.

Micah Watson

Professor of Politics, Calvin University

Micah Watson is Professor of Politics in the Politics & Economics department and director of the Henry Institute at Calvin University.

Friday June 12, 2026 1:45pm - 3:15pm EDT
KOS 109 (Ken Olsen Science Center) 255 Grapevine Road, Wenham, MA 01984

Panel Discussions

Democracy Conference Schedule

Tracy Kuperus

Joel Westra

Micah Watson

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Democracy Conference Schedule

Tracy Kuperus

Joel Westra

Micah Watson

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