The Revolution Will Not Be Disciplined
Interdisciplinary Conversations 250 Years in the Making
Join USD faculty from across disciplines for a week of dynamic conversations exploring American identity, democracy, revolution, citizenship, history, religion, science, music and social change. Through lectures, panel discussions and a hands-on nonviolence training, participants will examine enduring questions about who we are, how we govern ourselves and what remains unfinished in the American experiment.
The series culminates on Thursday, Oct. 1 with A Revolutionary Birthday Party, featuring cake, refreshments and community reflection in celebration of 250 years of democratic aspirations and civic engagement.
Mini copies of the U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence will be available at each event, and USD Votes will be tabling throughout the series with voter registration information.
Events
Who is an American?
Sept. 28, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre
- Panelists:
- Susie Babka, PhD | Professor of Theology and Religious Studies
“Religious Identity in America” - David Shirk, PhD | Professor of Political Science and International Relations
“A Nation of Immigrants” - Thomas Herrinton, PhD | Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
“Ancestry and American Identity”
- Susie Babka, PhD | Professor of Theology and Religious Studies
- Host: Timothy McCarty, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Unruly Lives and Revolutionary Spirits
Sept. 29, 2026
4:30 - 6 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre
- Panelists:
- Jillian Tullis, PhD and Jennifer Tillman, PhD | Associate Dean and Professor of Communication and Assistant Professor of Philosophy
"Health and Disability Among Those Created Equal" - Molly McClain, PhD | Professor of History
“Spinning Resistance: Women, Cloth and the Long Memory of 1776” - Charissa Noble, PhD | Assistant Professor of Music
“American Musical Mavericks”
- Jillian Tullis, PhD and Jennifer Tillman, PhD | Associate Dean and Professor of Communication and Assistant Professor of Philosophy
- Host: Timothy McCarty, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Training in Nonviolence as a Path to Change
Sept. 29, 2026
6 - 8 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Room AB
Peaceful protest has brought about momentous changes in United States and world history. The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies and USD’s Civility Ambassadors present an active training in how to use these techniques in your own life. Registration is required.
Democracy in an Imperfect World
Sept. 30, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre
- Panelists:
- Laurence Claus, DPhil | Professor of Law
“What Keeps Democracy Real?” - Cameron Parker, PhD | Professor of Mathematics
“Why No Voting System is Perfect” - Jason Kelly, PhD | Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies
“The Role of Wonder in the Environmental Movement”
- Laurence Claus, DPhil | Professor of Law
- Host: Timothy McCarty, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
Our Unfinished Revolution
Oct. 1, 2026
6 - 7:30 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Theatre
- Panelists:
- Olutoyosi Aboderin, PhD | Assistant Professor of History
“Frederick Douglass and Unfinished Promises” - T.J. Tallie, PhD | Professor of History
“Ambition vs. Reality: Assessing the Hopes and Realities of The Declaration” - David Miller, PhD | Distinguished Teaching Professor of History
“All Men and We the People: Reflecting on Inclusive Democracy”
- Olutoyosi Aboderin, PhD | Assistant Professor of History
- Host: Timothy McCarty, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations
A Revolutionary Birthday Party
7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Garden of the Sky
To celebrate the conclusion of “The Revolution Will Not Be Disciplined” and the 250th birthday of the Declaration of Independence, we will be gathering for Birthday Cake and other sweet treats following the panel. All are welcome to join in the festivities and share reflections on 250 years of undisciplined striving for truth, beauty, goodness and democracy.
Politifest
Oct. 3, 2026
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice
Voice of San Diego will be bringing together local politicians to go head-to-head at Politifest: Elections Showdown. Attendees will hear from candidates across San Diego and cast their votes for whom would most effectively address the biggest issues facing our community.
- Students register for free! Register now.