The Chicago Center for Contemporary Theory—known as 3CT—is a space for the critical discussion and reimagination of social, political, and cultural processes in the world today.

Dominique J. Baker, Ron Lieber, and Lauren A. RiveraMonday February 23, 2026

Aspiring to Elitism: How the Admissions Office Remade the Corporate University

Monday, April 13, 2026, 5:30–7:00pm The Corporate University
Hannah ProctorMonday February 23, 2026

Political Pathologies: US Social Science, Psychoanalytic Interviewing, and the Cold War

Thursday, April 16, 2026, 5:00–6:30pm Revolutionary Disappointment and Recalibration
John Mearsheimer speaking in front of an audience
Monday February 23, 2026

Video: John Mearsheimer on The Monroe Doctrine and the Invasion of Venezuela

Video: Robert Gooding-Williams on Democracy and Beauty

collage of graphics from Theorizing the Present posters

Theorizing the Present

Theorizing the Present
John Ganz speaking at a podium
Monday December 1, 2025

Video: John Ganz on Fascism as Past and Prologue

Monday December 1, 2025

Fall 2025 Critical Historical Studies Now Available

Photo of Judith Butler speaking at a podium
Monday December 1, 2025

Video: Judith Butler on Destroyed Protections for Extra-Mural Speech

Theorizing the Present