"We the People": Pluralistic Democracy in a Partisan Age
Conversation with Colleen Shogan and hosted by Allison Prasch
Event Details
What does it mean to tell America’s story in an age of political polarization? As we approach America’s 250, Professor Allison Prasch hosts a conversation with Colleen Shogan to examine the challenges and opportunities public historians, scholars, and citizens encounter as we commemorate the nation’s semiquincentennial. Together, they will discuss the narrative arc of U.S. history from multiple perspectives and consider how viewpoint diversity and dialogue across difference can be applied to our past, present, and future.
This fireside chat is part of the Wisconsin Exchange's Pluralism in Practice Workshop. To register for the “We the People” event only, visit the workshop’s registration page and select “Fireside Chat Only – Dr. Colleen Shogan.”
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Colleen Shogan is the 11th archivist of the United States, CEO of In Pursuit, senior advisor to More Perfect, and senior fellow of civics education for Stand Together Trust. Professor Allison Prasch is the Nancy Obin Sukenik Professor of Letters & Science and associate professor of rhetoric, politics, and culture in the Department of Communication Arts. This event is co-sponsored with the College of Letters & Science, with support from “1776/2026,” a series of events and projects focusing on the country’s 250th anniversary and legacies of the Declaration of Independence, a program of the Paul Martin Wolff Center.
We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please email calli.hughes@wisc.edu to make a disability-related accommodation request. Requests should be made by Monday, March 9, 2026, though reasonable effort will be made to support late accommodation requests.