Spring 2026
JAM 390S, PUBPOL 290S | Instructor: Phil Napoli | Codes: R, SB
This course will explore normative notions of the “public sphere” and how it should factor into the democratic process. In exploring both historical and contemporary versions of the public sphere, this course will also explore related concepts such as “public deliberation” and “public opinion,” how they have been conceptualized, defined, and measured over time; and how they affect — and are affected by — public policymaking. Finally, this course will spend a substantial amount of time exploring the dynamics of the contemporary digital public sphere, how it has evolved, how it is structured, and its implications for civil discourse and the democratic process.
Recent Semesters
2026 Spring Term
PUBPOL 590S | Instructor: Chris Coome
Is civil discourse possible without civil society? Can a society coming apart pull itself together? For many Americans, our time is riven by increasing loneliness, isolation, and political dysfunction. Civil society may hold the key. This course will introduce students to the development of civil society from its classical articulation to its modern, lived reality. Along the way, students will be introduced to major figures in the articulation of civil society, such as Ferdinand Tönnies and Robert Putnam; as well as the importance of intermediary and voluntary organizations in our society.
Recent Semesters
2026 Spring Term
PUBPOL 290 | Instructors: Joseph Blocher, Thavolia Glymph | Codes: CZ, IJ
Co-taught by faculty from Duke’s Law School and History Department, this interdisciplinary course aims to engage undergraduate students in exploring the history of the nation’s past 250 years and the democratic principles at its center through the study of key documents from the National Archives. The course will equip students with the tools to engage a diverse collection of documents ranging from the founding documents to key legislation and court decisions that have shaped the nation’s growth and development across the disciplines of history, law, public policy, and the humanities broadly.
Sanford Polis Distinguished Fellows will serve as guest lecturers and provide additional context and perspective to classroom discussions. Students will also participate in a free multi-day immersion trip to Washington, DC that will connect the program’s classes with practice and expand learning outside of the classroom.
Recent Semesters
2026 Spring Term
EDUC 290S, JAM 390S, PUBPOL 290S | Instructor: Sue Wasiolek | Codes: EI, IJ
Many college students, faculty, and staff have expressed their concern and actual outrage at the fact that their schools have invited/allowed controversial speakers to visit their campuses. Needless to say, hearing offensive, rude and sometimes hateful speech can be challenging–especially for a college student, trying to focus on academic work and co-curricular activities.
Meanwhile, many colleges and universities have justified these visits, pointing to how these opportunities contribute to a landscape of a free exchange of ideas while preparing students for the “real world” to come after college. Other schools have committed to creating safe spaces on their campuses where faculty, students, and staff can expect to be protected from microaggressions, receive trigger warnings, and not have to be subjected to “inflammatory” speakers.
In this course, students will review the history and philosophy of the free speech component of the 1st Amendment and examine the way in which the US Supreme Court has ruled over the years in free speech cases. Students will then have the opportunity to fully consider the various approaches campuses have recently taken to dealing with free speech issues, including controversial speakers. Finally, students will be asked to represent a particular side of a free speech case, writing and presenting an appellate argument to the “Court.”
Recent Semesters
2026 Spring Term
PUBPOL 384, WRITING 384 | Instructor: Ingrid Bianca Byerly | Codes: W, WR
This course explores the theoretical and practical elements of effective communication through civil discourse. We explore successful speechmaking skills, positive interpersonal interactions, courteous intercultural communications, and memorable public presentations. Whether focused on political endeavors, global challenges, charitable initiatives, social activism, philanthropic visions, corporate presentations or unique occasions, presentation skills serve as a powerful tool by which to respectfully make your case.
While the focus of our work is on efficient oral communication and effective skills of exposition (both in large public speaking environments, and equally importantly, in smaller interactive exchanges), you will also learn the intricacies of compelling arguments, courteous debate, powerful written exposés and influential speech writing. We will also focus on the human dimensions of the communication process: vocal intonation, body behavior, audience evaluation, focus, control, distraction, and self-awareness. Using in-person techniques as well as onscreen presentations and virtual interviewing skills, you will learn to engage a variety of audiences, and you will develop intercultural communication skills.
Finally, we will analyze and present speeches that have had a political and social impact on societies in transition or crisis; dissect debating techniques; and explore the public fields in which speechmaking and communication are central to success
Recent Semesters
2026 Spring Term
Fall 2025
ETHICS 210, CLST 210, HISTORY 266, JEWISHST 210, PHIL 214, PUBPOL 229, RELIGION 210 | Codes: CCI, CZ, R
What does it look like for a human life to go well? What leads to human flourishing or ‘happiness’ or ‘success’? What is freedom? Love? Justice? What is the basis for ethics? What is our relationship to the natural world? What is the significance of death? How do our beliefs (or lack thereof) about God or the gods shape how we view the world? We will examine how philosophical or religious traditions around the globe have answered life’s biggest questions. Traditions may include Confucianism, Islam, Christianity, Stoicism, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, scientific naturalism, expressive individualism, and utilitarianism. Part of the Transformative Ideas Sophomore Program.
Recent Semesters
2025 Fall Term, 2024 Fall Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term
ETHICS 203, POLSCI 208, PUBPOL 202 | Recent Instructors: John Hillen, Sue Wasiolek | Codes: CZ, EI, SB, W
Americans today live in a time of deep political polarization, cultural tribalism, and self-segregation. Those with whom we have deep disagreements, assuming we interact with them at all, are often viewed as not just wrong but as irrational, immoral, even contemptible. What are the causes and costs of these trends? What remedies might exist? Are there habits of mind that we might cultivate to build better citizens and a healthier democracy? Topics include the politics of higher education, self-censorship, and cancel culture. Discussions of controversial political issues.
Recent Semesters
2025 Fall Term, 2024 Fall Term, 2023 Fall Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Spring Term
PUBPOL 290 | Instructor: Chris Coome | Codes: CZ, EI, IJ, R
What is conservatism, and what do conservatives believe? Answering these questions goes to the heart of our political moment. As America (and the world) enter the second presidency of Donald Trump, many are left scratching their heads as to how we got here. This course will introduce students to over two-hundred years of conservative intellectual history and equip them to understand the dynamic tensions at the heart of American politics. From revolutionaries and Reagan to Post-Liberals and Libertarians, this course lays bare the heart and mind of American conservatism.
Recent Semesters
2025 Fall Term