Critical Engagements
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  • Bowling Alone (2025–2026) Human and Other Kinds of Intelligence (2024–2025) War and Peace (2023–2024) Cities, Coasts, and Everywhere Else (2022–2023) Deep Waters (2021–2022) What Does It Mean To Be Human? (2020–2021) Fake News (2019-2020) The End of the World (2018-2019) People on the Move (2017-2018)
  • Notable Events
  • Perspectives On Pandemics (Spring 2020)
  • Contact

Critical Engagements

  • Home/
  • Annual Themes/
    • Bowling Alone (2025–2026)
    • Human and Other Kinds of Intelligence (2024–2025)
    • War and Peace (2023–2024)
    • Cities, Coasts, and Everywhere Else (2022–2023)
    • Deep Waters (2021–2022)
    • What Does It Mean To Be Human? (2020–2021)
    • Fake News (2019-2020)
    • The End of the World (2018-2019)
    • People on the Move (2017-2018)
  • Notable Events/
  • Courses/
    • Perspectives On Pandemics (Spring 2020)
  • Contact/

Critical Engagements

Questions That Matter

Critical Engagements: Questions That Matter

Critical Engagements

  • Home/
  • Annual Themes/
    • Bowling Alone (2025–2026)
    • Human and Other Kinds of Intelligence (2024–2025)
    • War and Peace (2023–2024)
    • Cities, Coasts, and Everywhere Else (2022–2023)
    • Deep Waters (2021–2022)
    • What Does It Mean To Be Human? (2020–2021)
    • Fake News (2019-2020)
    • The End of the World (2018-2019)
    • People on the Move (2017-2018)
  • Notable Events/
  • Courses/
    • Perspectives On Pandemics (Spring 2020)
  • Contact/

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events
From Surviving to Thriving: Finding Connection and Community in an Age of Isolation
Oct 23
Oct 23, 2025
Bowling Alone
From Surviving to Thriving: Finding Connection and Community in an Age of Isolation
Oct 23, 2025
Bowling Alone
Oct 23, 2025
Bowling Alone
International Games Month: Open Game Night at the Park Library
Nov 7
Nov 7, 2025
Bowling Alone
International Games Month: Open Game Night at the Park Library
Nov 7, 2025
Bowling Alone
Nov 7, 2025
Bowling Alone
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Nov 14
Nov 14, 2025
Bowling Alone
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Nov 14, 2025
Bowling Alone
Nov 14, 2025
Bowling Alone
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Nov 21
Nov 21, 2025
Bowling Alone
Atanarjuat: The Fast Runner (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Nov 21, 2025
Bowling Alone
Nov 21, 2025
Bowling Alone
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Dec 12
Dec 12, 2025
Bowling Alone
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Dec 12, 2025
Bowling Alone
Dec 12, 2025
Bowling Alone
Recent Events
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Oct 10
Oct 10, 2025
Break Our Games (CLGS)
Oct 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
Emma Norman Todd Distinguished Lecturer Series Featuring Dr. Michael Benitez, Jr.
Oct 8
Oct 8, 2025
Emma Norman Todd Distinguished Lecturer Series Featuring Dr. Michael Benitez, Jr.
Oct 8, 2025
Oct 8, 2025
A Letter for Better
Sep 30
Sep 30, 2025
A Letter for Better
Sep 30, 2025
Sep 30, 2025
A Conversation with Dr. Denise Williams Mallett
Sep 17
Sep 17, 2025
A Conversation with Dr. Denise Williams Mallett
Sep 17, 2025
Sep 17, 2025
Lost in Translation (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Sep 13
Sep 13, 2025
Lost in Translation (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Sep 13, 2025
Sep 13, 2025
Fall 2025 CE Kickoff Event: “Wired for Connection: The Science of Happiness, Friendship, and Loneliness” (Shay Dawson)
Sep 10
Sep 10, 2025
Fall 2025 CE Kickoff Event: “Wired for Connection: The Science of Happiness, Friendship, and Loneliness” (Shay Dawson)
Sep 10, 2025
Sep 10, 2025
Arrival (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Nov 11
Nov 11, 2024
Arrival (Film Screening and Panel Discussion)
Nov 11, 2024
Nov 11, 2024
The Battle of Algiers (Film Screening)
Mar 15
Mar 15, 2024
The Battle of Algiers (Film Screening)
Mar 15, 2024
Mar 15, 2024
Urbina_Outlaw_Ocean_cover.jpg
Apr 26
Apr 26, 2022
Migrants and Mercenaries on the Outlaw Ocean (Ian Urbina, Abel Lecture)
Apr 26, 2022
Apr 26, 2022
GetahunWIPS 2022.png
Apr 8
Apr 8, 2022
Solomon Getahun, “The Horn of Africa in Flux”
Apr 8, 2022
Apr 8, 2022

  • Home/
  • Annual Themes/
    • Bowling Alone (2025–2026)
    • Human and Other Kinds of Intelligence (2024–2025)
    • War and Peace (2023–2024)
    • Cities, Coasts, and Everywhere Else (2022–2023)
    • Deep Waters (2021–2022)
    • What Does It Mean To Be Human? (2020–2021)
    • Fake News (2019-2020)
    • The End of the World (2018-2019)
    • People on the Move (2017-2018)
  • Notable Events/
  • Courses/
    • Perspectives On Pandemics (Spring 2020)
  • Contact/

Critical Engagements

Bowling Alone

The CE theme for 2025–2026 is “Bowling Alone: Finding Community in an Age of Isolation.”
→ Details, events, and resources


About CE

Critical Engagements is a collaborative project housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences that makes the academic mission of Central Michigan University concrete by highlighting how our students, faculty, and community are tackling the world’s most pressing and difficult questions. → More details

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Recent Posts, Events, and Announcements

Featured
Jul 7, 2025
Gregory Smith
Announcing the 2025–2026 Critical Engagements Theme: Bowling Alone
Jul 7, 2025
Gregory Smith
Jul 7, 2025
Gregory Smith
Apr 27, 2022
Critical Engagements
Runoff, warmer temperatures threaten Detroit area creeks, rivers (Detroit News)
Apr 27, 2022
Critical Engagements
Apr 27, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 17, 2022
Critical Engagements
$1B in federal funding for Great Lakes will clean up 9 areas in Michigan by 2030 (Detroit News)
Feb 17, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 17, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 9, 2022
Critical Engagements
Great Lakes Scientists to Study ‘The Changing Face of Winter’ (CMU News)
Feb 9, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 9, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 5, 2022
Critical Engagements
Spring 2022 Events Updates
Feb 5, 2022
Critical Engagements
Feb 5, 2022
Critical Engagements
Jul 13, 2021
Critical Engagements
Droughts and the Southwest
Jul 13, 2021
Critical Engagements
Jul 13, 2021
Critical Engagements
Apr 23, 2021
Critical Engagements
Big Water Creates Big Impact
Apr 23, 2021
Critical Engagements
Apr 23, 2021
Critical Engagements
Apr 6, 2021
Clarke Historical Library
Storytelling Is Universal
Apr 6, 2021
Clarke Historical Library
Apr 6, 2021
Clarke Historical Library
Jan 16, 2021
Critical Engagements
Art Spiegelman (February 18)
Jan 16, 2021
Critical Engagements
Jan 16, 2021
Critical Engagements
Sep 30, 2020
Critical Engagements
Orange Shirt Day
Sep 30, 2020
Critical Engagements
Sep 30, 2020
Critical Engagements