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Symposium Dialogues

Events

These sessions will take place from 3:15-4:15 p.m.

The theme for the 2019 symposium is “Speech: Freedom vs. Responsibility?”

The symposium is scheduled for Sept. 17-18. We have been hard at work planning and preparing for what we think will be a fantastic and necessary conversation across the campus on the complex dynamics of free speech on campus and around the world. We’ve crafted a compelling lineup of plenary speakers and concurrent sessions led by students, faculty, and staff on campus. It will be a great time of conversation for the campus community.

In light of the success of last year’s experiment with College Dialogues, the committee has again decided to offer this opportunity for our campus in order to discuss how the theme “Speech: Freedom vs. Responsibility?” relates to those of us inside the “Concordia bubble.” In the session, divisions, departments, offices, and relevant student organizations are strongly encouraged to gather and discuss issues of freedom and responsibility in speech as they relate to work and study.

Please consider participating in one of the following sessions:

Library Reference Room

Those of us who work in libraries know that issues surrounding free speech are integral to our work. During this open conversation, we will discuss how divisive times can affect patron perceptions of the library’s commitment to free speech, what responsibilities librarians have to defend academic freedom and patrons’ freedom to read, and how local libraries maintain their commitment to free speech.

Jennie Archer (jarcher@cord.edu), Amanda Breu, Ginny Connell

FFCT Mainstage

In 1998, a purple light-up sex toy and a flamboyantly fabulous gay character appeared on Concordia’s mainstage. That started a conversation between the administration and the theatre program we are still having today.

David Wintersteen (winterst@cord.edu)

Jones C/D, Knutson Campus Center

This Campus Dialogue session will be a space for any on-campus residents to gather for small group conversation about the different ways free speech impacts living in on-campus housing. Session is open to any who live on campus.

Kelsey Kava (kkava@cord.edu), Laura Zeiher, and Residence Life Staff

Frida Nilsen Lounge, Fjelstad Hall

Communities committed to critical inquiry – including colleges and academic professional societies – are expected to ponder and produce sound scholarship and practice academic freedom. Communities cannot do that, however, without the deliberate and often-painful work of examining whose voices are heard and whose experiences are valued in developing, analyzing, writing, presenting, debating, and validating what is known to be sound and true, and in shaping how that knowledge is applied. In this dialogue session, a faculty-student panel will engage examples of ways marginalization, inclusion, and discourse operate in the study of religion and in the application of religious narratives.

Elna Solvang (solvang@cord.edu), Ahmed Afzal, Amy Nelson, and Prashansha Maharjan

ISC 201

Join the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission (DEIC) for a conversation centered around creating spaces for conversations about freedom of speech and social justice. Participants will engage in readings excerpts from "Challenging the Common Guidelines in Social Justice Education" by Olzem Sensoy and Robin DiAngelo and engage in small and large group conversations to explore intersections between freedom of speech and social justice language and social justice learning goals. They will also explore the role of power and freedom of speech.

Shawna Pantzke (spantzke@cord.edu)

ISC 132

This dialogue investigates the ways in which authentic diversity and inclusion function to counter Hate Speech while at the same time promoting the democratic values of intercultural communication, free speech itself, and social justice. The session will also explore diversity and inclusion as part of a holistic framework necessary for free speech to thrive.

Edward Antonio (eantonio@cord.edu)

ISC 106

In recent years, a number of colleges have made headlines inviting provocative speakers to campus. This session will look at the controversies and rights surrounding student organizations as they engage in responsible dialogue.

Mayor Johnathan Judd and Attorney Brian Toay