NEWS

The Davidson College Deliberative Citizenship Initiative and Writing Program are sponsoring a public lecture Democracy and Freedom of Expression: Revitalizing Public Discourse on Campus  by Leila Brammer, Director of the Parrhesia Program for Public Discourse at the University of Chicago on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 at 7:30 pm. Guests may register here to attend the lecture in person at the 900 Room in the Alvarez College Union (capacity is limited) or via Zoom. In her remarks, Dr. Brammer will address how freedom of expression in academic and civic environments recognizes the centrality of multiple perspectives, differences, and disagreements to test and develop the best thinking to address collective challenges. Public discourse today is often critiqued for divisiveness that fails to reflect these foundational practices and leaves many unwilling to enter into essential conversations that should animate a healthy democracy. Dr. Brammer will explore how the lens of discourse theory exposes the limits of our current modes of discourse and suggests important ways to reimagine and transform how we engage with one another on campuses and in our communities.

 Dr. Brammer will also be speaking on Democratic Discourse in the Classroom: Lessons from the University of Chicago’s Parrhesia Program at 4 pm on Tuesday, March 22 on Zoom and in the Davidson Library Open Tutoring Room. In this talk focused on deliberative pedagogy, Dr. Brammer will discuss how discourse rests at the nexus of academic inquiry, freedom of expression, democratic practices, and civic education. The testing and refining of ideas necessary for academic and civic inquiry depend on the ability to seek out and engage multiple perspectives, differences, and disagreements. Through an examination and application of discourse theory, this session explores principles and practices to develop student capacities for engaging and facilitating vigorous, inclusive, and productive discourse. You may register for this event here.