The PPE Book Club reads significant books that engage PPE themes in a small group, discussion-based format. The club, which is led by faculty convener Eric MacGilvray and student convener Megan Gantner, will meet for ten sessions from 5:00-6:30 pm on Monday evenings, starting on January 26th. We’ll be reading Alexis de Tocqueville’s Democracy in America, which has been described as the best book ever written about democracy and the best book ever written about America, and which is an apt choice for the country’s 250th anniversary. Careful preparation and active participation are expected, but no written work is required. This is a great opportunity to wrestle with big ideas outside of class in a spirit of fellowship and camaraderie.

Thanks to generous support from the Institute for Humane Studies, the Department of Political Science, and the Center for Ethics & Human Values participants receive a $500 stipend and a catered dinner for each meeting, as well as a free copy of the book.

If you’re interested in applying to join the book club for spring 2026 please complete this short Qualtrics survey by midnight on Friday, January 16:

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Please note: Although the PPE Book Club focuses on books that engage PPE themes; it’s not restricted to PPE majors. Please feel free to share this invitation with other interested students.

Questions? Contact Eric MacGilvray at macgilvray.2@osu.edu