Past Events

Join us as Rev. Robert Sirico discusses his new book Defending the Free Market: The Moral Case for a Free Economy. There will be a book signing following the lecture and books will be available for purchase or order your copy now on Amazon. Contact Teresa at [email protected] or call (616) 454-3080 for more information. Schedule 7:30am Registration 8:00am Breakfast lecture and Q&A followed by book signing

Acton University is a unique, four-day exploration of the intellectual foundations of a free society. Guided by a distinguished, international faculty, Acton University is an opportunity to deepen your knowledge and integrate rigorous philosophy, Christian theology and sound economics. At Acton University, you will: Build your own curriculum. Choose from more than seventy courses ranging from the theological and philosophical, to the policy-oriented and practical.

President Calvin Coolidge had strong views about self-government and federalism. Even for his time period he was often lampooned as old fashioned and "a throw back." He tapped into the ideas of America's Founding Principles and worked to elevate those ideas to the forefront of life. Coolidge popularized religious principles, thrift, limited government, and the rule of law. He also quipped shortly before his death, “I feel I no longer fit in with these times.” He was referring to the centralization of power in Washington.

Lecture Description: While free trade has been increasingly maligned, The Fair Trade movement has become increasingly popular over the last several years and many see it as a way to help people in the developing world and as a more just alternative to free trade--which many argue creates an unfair advantage that tends to harm the poor. This course will analyze and compare arguments for and against both fair trade and free trade and ask whether 'fair trade' is either more fair or more just than free trade.

Luncheon with Rev. Robert Sirico President, Acton Institute and special guest Mr. Joseph A. Morris CEO, Lincoln Legal Foundation 12pm lunch followed by an address by Rev. Sirico Questions: contact Charles Roelofs at 616.454.3080 or [email protected] For more about the Acton Institute in Chicago

Luncheon with Rev. Robert Sirico President, Acton Institute and special guest Dan Spencer Co-founder & Executive Director, Catholic Business Network 12pm lunch followed by an address by Rev. Sirico Questions: contact Kimberly Wybenga at 616.454.3080 or [email protected]

Lecture Description: This online session is designed to give members of the AU Online community the chance to interact with a member of Acton’s staff. Topics covered will come from Acton Institute’s core curriculum as it is presented in the four Foundational lectures.

Lecture Description: This lecture explores the centrality of money to market economics, its origins, the history of its development, and its functions in modern economic life.

Through a mixture of lectures and Socratic discussions, participants will explore the philosophical foundations of limited government by engaging ancient, medieval, and modern thinkers on the subject. Participants will focus on the contributions made by these enduring sources of political and social thought to an understanding of the necessity of limited government.

Victor Claar joins us to discuss the social, economic, and ethical aspects of the sin of envy. Greed is often said to be the characteristic sin of capitalism, but envy, the great sin of socialism, is often overlooked as a threat to social flourishing. Dr. Claar will draw on both the wisdom of the Christian tradition’s long reflection on envy as well as the findings of contemporary economics to explore this perennial danger to the free and virtuous society.