DU's Day of Free Expression & Pluralism
Look out for more information on Spark 2025 soon!
Summary of Spark 2024
In its second year, Spark ignited engaging conversations on the pressing issues challenging democracies and institutions worldwide.
Participants:
- Heard a conversation on whether our laws—or policies—protect hate speech.
- Explored the intersection of social justice and civil discourse.
- Debated about whether codes of conduct should include social media activity.
- Anonymously shared your free expression experience at DU.
Virtual Panel
Is Hate Speech Protected?
- Time: 10 - 11:15 a.m.
- Location: Virtual
Where is the line between free speech and hate speech? And how is that boundary defined by our laws vs. cultural, institutional or international norms?
Join to hear national thought leaders and scholars on free speech, hate speech, the first amendment, feminism, social justice, technology, religion and media discuss these complex and deeply important questions.
| Moderator | |
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Derigan Silver, DU’s faculty director of freedom of expression and civil discourse initiatives and chair of the Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies. |
| Panelists | |
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Katia Campbell, professor of communications studies at Metropolitan State University and co-author of 2009 book, Neo-Pragmatism, Communication, and the Culture of Creative Democracy |
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Caitlin Carlson, associate professor in communications at Seattle University and author of 2021 book, Hate Speech |
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Greg Lukianoff, CEO of Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression and author of several books including the 2018, The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure |
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Eboo Patel, director of Interfaith America and author of several books including the 2022, We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy |
Lunch & Debate
Should social media posts by students be subject to the University’s code of conduct?
- Time: Noon to 1:45 p.m.
- Location: Anderson Academic Commons 290
Join us for a free Snarf’s lunch and take part in a debate on this complex topic. This non-competitive debate allows anyone in the room to speak, listen ask questions. It will also feature short speeches from different viewpoints featuring students, faculty, staff, or community members.
Jeremy Johnson, assistant professor of rhetoric, will serve as chair for the debate.
This debate is part of the College Debate & Discourse Alliance, co-sponsored by Braver Angels, ACTA, and BridgeUSA.
Expert Panel
Dialogue Across Difference: An Interdisciplinary Conversation on Perceived Tensions Between Social Justice and Civil Discourse
- Time: 2:30 - 3:45 p.m.
- Location: Anderson Academic Commons 290
Listen to a conversation between four esteemed DU community members with backgrounds ranging from public policy, international affairs, equity, foreign policy, history, comparative politics, and more. They will discuss civil discourse as part of the work of social justice, how civil discourse has been used a tool to engage across difference, as well as the limits of civil discourse when viewed through the structures of power.
| Moderator | |
|---|---|
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Tamra Pearson d’Estree
Professor of conflict resolution in the Josef Korbel School of International Studies Director of Global Environmental Sustainability MA, Global Environmental Change & Adaptation Certificate Korbel Lead of International and Intercultural Communication Certificate Coordinator of the Conflict Engagement and Resolution Initiative |
| Panelists | |
|---|---|
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Naazneen Barma, founding director of DU’s Scrivner Institute of Public Policy and associate professor at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. |
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Lauren Hammond, DU’s inaugural assistant vice-chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion – academic engagement and historian. |
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Liz Sheridan Sperber, assistant professor in political science in DU’s College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. |
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Thomas Walker, senior project manager, strategic initiatives & support, Health & Counseling Center |