
Center for Political Thought and Leadership
Supporting and Advancing American Political Thought and Civic Education
We are a center under the umbrella of the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership (SCETL) and we aim to provide resources to learn more about this country's history, foster discussion about today's most contentious topics, and offer life-changing volunteer opportunities.
Free political societies need to be informed and thoughtful societies. Research and teaching in American political thought goes hand in hand with educating American citizens and citizen-leaders. We are committed to furthering these important goals.
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“The School is an academic unit centered on ASU students and the Center is focused on community and K-12 outreach on an outward basis.”
-Associate Director, Adam Seagrave
Experiences that inspire thought and action
From undergraduate conferences and symposia to scholarly meetings and lecture series, we sponsor experiences that illuminate American political principles and inspire thoughtful civic engagement.
Research to further our understanding
We support scholarship in American political thought through our sponsorship of research journals and special projects, and through our support of visiting and affiliated scholars.
Partnerships with distinguished institutions
We actively partner with other academic centers and units, both within ASU and at distinguished institutions across the country.
Program Spotlight
Apply for the Civic Leadership Institute
The Civic Leadership Institution (CLI) is a FREE summer program for high school students to learn about civic education while being a part of a college atmosphere.
Next year CLI will be held in one-week sessions over three weeks in different cities to expand our reach to more students and community members. Eligible applicants must be rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, with a minimum of 2.75 GPA.
There will be no fee to attend and students who complete the program will be given a certificate of completion at a later date. There is also an incentivized research opportunity for students and paid opportunities for local teachers.
Applications are not yet available for 2023, but will be posted in March.
COVID-19 Updates
Forks Up Masks Up!
Make sure to adhere to ASU Guidelines regarding masks, social distancing, and remote learning. Those same standards apply to The CPTL's events.
Links: Latest updates | Coronavirus FAQ page | Vaccine FAQ page