This visit includes SIUC on Tuesday, Sept. 5 because it is an international center for Dewey studies, Larry Hickman, director of the Center for Dewey studies said.

Hickman said following the death of Dewey’s widow, there was a point at which Dewey’s papers, letters, manuscripts and other items were deposited in the SIUC Special Collections.

Some of Dewey’s collected works have been edited here, and some of the letters are currently being edited at SIUC, Hickman said.

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The Japanese representatives are not coming to SIUC for research or study, but to find out what information is available on Dewey.

Japanese education was quite influenced by Dewey, and Japan holds a great interest in him, Barbara Levine of the Center for Dewey Studies said.

Hickman said Dewey is one of the best known philosophers in America.

He is one of two or three of the most important philosophers and educators, Hickman said. He was active in the political and social life of his time. He influenced the thoughts of presidents and statesmen.

Dewey was active in founding the American Civil Liberties Union, the New York Teachers Union and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Hickman said.

Levine said a great resurgence of interest in Dewey is occurring. What he had to say during his lifetime is relevant to the problems of society today, such as education, philosophy, science technology, religion and women’s issues.

Other stops on the representatives visit to the U.S. include Burlington, VT where Dewey was born, the University of Chicago and the University of Vermont where Dewey was a faculty member, Hickman said.

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Those involved in the center for Dewey studies said they are anticipating the visit next week with excitement.

We’re looking forward to meeting the colleagues from Japan. We hope they’ll like their visit and come back again, said Hickman.