America250@SJU: Academic Adventure Passport Program
In 2026, the United States will mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence that was written in Philadelphia. SJU is launching America250@SJU, which will be a year-long series of events and courses that will engage with America’s past, present, and future. It will allow the SJU community to create our own programming and to participate in the many events that will be taking place in the Philadelphia area.
What is the Passport Program?
Students who elect to participate in the program will receive a passport. For each course they take or event they attend or internship or volunteer work they do, they will receive a stamp in their passport. Those who complete a set of 5 will receive the America250@SJU designation that they may put on their resumes.
A selection of courses from across campus will be offered that will engage with America250 in Spring 2026 and Fall 2026 (see below).
Each semester in 2026, there will be a variety of events such as a film series, a lecture series, creative writing opportunities, exhibitions at the Maguire Museum & Marvin Samson Museum for the History of Pharmacy, excursions to events in Philadelphia, essay contest, & much more.
The SJU Career Center has created an America250 collection where students may find internship and volunteer opportunities.
SJU-America250 Events: Spring 2026
SJU–America250 Film Series: High Noon
Panel Discussion on Philadelphia’s President’s House
"Re-Union" Opening Reception & Panel Discussion with Berrisford Boothe, Leslie King-Hammond, Janice Merendino and Daniel Simmons
SJU's Production of "Alabaster"
Book Talk by Akhil Reed Amar: Born Equal: Remaking America's Constitution, 1840-1920
Misher Festival Open Class: American Medicine since 1865
SJU–America250 Film Series: John Adams
Misher Festival Lecture: Visiting Professor Lecture with M. Gessen
Misher Festival Open Class: Museums, Monuments, & Media
Misher Festival: Reverberations of Incarceration Lecture with Dr. Erica Banks
Misher Festival Open Class: Museums, Monuments, & Media
Misher Festival Freedom & Frances Harper Dance Performance
Panel Discussion: 21st Century Eugenics and Misuse of Scientific Data
Film Screening and Panel Discussion: "The Encampments: The Largest Student Protest in the U.S. Since Vietnam
SJU–America250 Film Series: Minari
JUST ANNOUNCED Fall 2026 Courses for America250
Explore the stories, ideas and debates that shaped the United States through our Fall 2026 America250 Passport courses. Each class offers a new perspective on the nation’s past and present—and every one you complete brings you one step closer to earning your America250 Passport. Start planning your schedule now so you’re ready when registration opens.
AFROTC: AER 101 Foundations of the United States Air Force I
Art and Art History: ARH 104 History of Global Architecture, Martha Easton | ARH 116 Art and Architecture of Philadelphia, Emily Hage | ARH 207 American Art and Architecture, Aaron Ziolkowski | ART 179 Truth and Privilege
Communications and Media Studies: COM 180: Introduction to Film | COM 235: History of Television
Economics: ECN 350 Monetary Economics | ECN 420 Sports Economics | ECN 484 Race and the Economy
English: ENG 425 American Drama
Food Marketing: FMK 202 Overview of the Global Food Industry | FMK 250 The Future of Food
Geographic Information Systems Program: GIS127 (Mapping) Religion & Race in Philadelphia
Health Administration: HAD 201 Intro to Healthcare Admin | HAD 304 Health Policy
History: HIS 201 US History to 1877 | HIS 205 Asian American History | HIS 301 Latin America and the U.S. | HIS 361 America in Age of Revolutions | HIS 391 American Military History | HIS 472 Greek and Roman Slavery
Pharmaceutical Marketing: PMK 211 Pharmaceutical Marketing Environment
Philosophy: PHL 311 Philosophy of Law | PHL 428 The Enlightenment & Its Critics (two sections)
Political Science: POL 370 Election 2026
Sociology: SOC 225 Intro to American Criminal Justice | SOC 270 Project Just Cities
Theology & Religious Studies: REL327 Religion & Race in Philadelphia | REL 241 Intro to Islam
Courses for America250: Spring 2026
History: HIS 392 Museum, Monuments, and Media || HIS 363 American Medicine since 1865
English: ENG 426 Nature and Environmental Writing || ENG 343 Creative Non-Fiction
Political Science: POL 111 American Government || POL 316 State and Local Government || POL 328 Politics of US Migration || POL 370 The US Constitution in Comparative Context
Economics: ECN 382 Urban Economics || ECN 340 Public Finance || ECN 480 Poverty & Income Inequality
Food Marketing: FMK 202 Overview of the Global Food Industry || FMK 250 The Future of Food
Pharmaceutical Marketing: PMK 211 Pharmaceutical Marketing Environment
Health Administration: HAD 201 Intro to Healthcare Admin || HAD 304 Health Policy
Art & Art History: ART 179 Photography Truth and Privilege || ART 144 Ceramics I || GDS 116 History of Graphic Design
Sociology: SOC 225 Intro to American Criminal Justice
Philosophy: PHL 262 Freedom, Citizenship, Culture
Communications: COM 270 Protest Music || COM 270 Free Speech!? A Discussion
Music, Theatre & Film: MTF 142 History of Rock and Pop || MTF 162 History of Broadway Musical
Theology & Religious Studies: THE 154 Catholic Theological Tradition (sections D15, D16, & D17)
Education: EDU 362 Social Studies Through Art
SJU-America250 Film Series
SJU-America250 is pleased to present a film series about the ideas of freedom and independence in America.
Wednesday, February 4: High Noon (1952, directed by Fred Zinnemann)
This is a classic revisionist Western about a town marshal's real-time battle between moral duty and social isolation.
Wednesday, March 18: John Adams (2008, directed by Tom Hooper)
Emmy-winning miniseries about a Founding Father's complicated role in promoting American independence.
Wednesday, April 15: Minari (2020, directed by Lee Isaac Chung)
Oscar-winning story of a South Korean immigrant family seeking their version of the American dream in rural Arkansas.
All events start at 5 p.m. in the Forum, Theater, Campion Student Center. Complimentary pizza and drinks will be served followed by a discussion.
Bring your America250 Passport to be stamped.
Don't have one? It's OK. We'll be giving out extras there.
SJU Partners with America250PA on Bells Across America
In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, Saint Joseph’s University has partnered with America250PA to design and install an artistic Liberty Bell replica titled Stories Told outside Lannon Hall, at the corner of City Avenue and Old Lancaster Road. Part of Bells Across PA—a statewide initiative placing bells in all 67 Pennsylvania counties—the bell was designed by Mural Arts–affiliated artist Abigail Reeth in collaboration with Saint Joseph’s University, Gompers Elementary School, and members of the Wynnefield community. This community design group met twice in 2025 to identify themes that best represent the neighborhood. Stories Told was unveiled on Friday, January 16, and will be installed on site in early spring. Visitors are encouraged to stop by and explore the many stories and symbols represented on the bell.
How can I find out more about America250@SJU events and courses?
- Join the email listserve America250__dl@sju.edu to receive announcements – email lcrispin@sju.edu or mchakars@sju.edu to be added to the email list.
- Follow @sjuamerica250 on Instagram – coming soon; use #America250@SJU when posting about events
- Check the University Calendar for related events, including the Misher Festival in March 2026