We Hold These Truths: Liberty, Equality, and Core Texts

The Annual Conference of the Association for Core Texts and Courses (ACTC)

Rooted in the American experience—echoing through the Declaration of Independence, Lincoln’s addresses, and Hurston’s prose—these principles transcend borders, resonating in texts from Rousseau’s Social Contract to Gandhi’s writings on justice. ACTC invites educators, scholars, and students to examine how core texts grapple with freedom’s scope, equality’s demands, and their interplay across time and place. As these ideas, central to America’s founding, travel beyond its shores, they spark dialogue in classrooms worldwide, addressing local struggles and global aspirations. Through keynotes, panels, and workshops, attendees will share innovative ways to teach these themes, linking the U.S. narrative to a broader human story. In a fractured world, these texts unite us, fostering critical thought and civic purpose. Join us to celebrate their power, drawing from America’s legacy to inspire universal reflection. Together, attendees will carry these truths—tested in one nation—to illuminate and uplift all corners of the globe.

Submit a paper or panel proposal here.