Free Expression at DU
Free Expression & Civil Discourse
Critical to our goals as an academic institution, community members can speak, participate and listen during public discourse without fear of censorship.
Pluralism
Embracing and respecting different perspectives and diverse identities while cultivating inspiring relationships and cooperation across differences.
Academic Freedom
A bedrock principle for the advancement of knowledge, educators can teach, pursue, research and discuss what they believe is important and pertinent without undue interference.
Friday, September 6
Global Election Year Retrospective: How fares Democracy?
As part of the ongoing Denver Democracy Series hosted by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, this virtual conversation will dive into the past year and what we have learned as we head into election season. The campus community is welcome to watch the webinars in-person together in The Forum (SIE 1020).
- 9 - 11 a.m. MTN
- Virtual
Tuesday, September 10
2024 Presidential Debate Watch
DU students, faculty and staff are invited to join a presidential debate watch party, featuring food, beverages and a Q&A session hosted by faculty experts. This event is co-hosted by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy and the Center for American Politics.
- 6:30 - 8:20 p.m. MTN
- Maglione Hall, SIE Complex
Tuesday, September 17
DU Celebrates Constitution Day
Join DU’s inaugural celebration of this historic day of recognition with a keynote address given by national thought leader on free speech, DU’s own Alan Chen, visit booths investigating what ‘banned books’ can teach us, register to vote and more.
- Time: TBD
- Location: TBD
Friday, October 11
21st Century Elections: Technology, Disinformation/Misinformation & AI
As part of the ongoing Denver Democracy Series hosted by the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, this virtual conversation will cover technologies impact—and challenges—during elections. The campus community is welcome to watch the webinars in-person together in The Forum (SIE 1020).
- 9 - 11 a.m. MTN
- Virtual
LEADING THE WAY. BUILDING OPPORTUNITY.
Project grants. Community events. Specialized training and workshops. Campus-wide collaboration. And more. DU’s Freedom of Expression & Pluralism Initiatives, led by Faculty Director Derigan Silver, serves as a convener, hub and engine for ways to take part, learn more, reflect and dig deeper on the most complex and challenging issues facing DU—and the world.
Debate Across the Curriculum
DU professors collaborate with on-campus experts on rhetoric to train students in non-competitive, classroom debate. With subjects tied to classroom topics, students are assigned viewpoints on which they must conduct thorough research before defending their stance to the class—all with the goal of deepening learning.
Spark
DU’s annual day of programming dedicated to free expression, pluralism and civil discourse. Look out for details on the third-annual Spark later this year.
Denver Dialogues
The Korbel School of International Studies and the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy convene thought leaders from premier U.S. think tanks to engage in constructive conversation and debate on policy issues impacting the nation and the world.
Our Partners
