The Civil Discourse Project’s roundtables foster meaningful conversation among Duke students, faculty, and staff by creating space for engagement across ideological divides. Each session focuses on a distinct and often polarizing public policy issue, or offers an opportunity to reflect collectively on major developments in the national landscape. Participants are invited to share viewpoints, listen actively, ask questions, and explore the values and assumptions that shape public opinion. The goal of each session is not to debate winners and losers, but to emphasize respectful dialogue and free inquiry.
Polis and Duke Dems came together on Thursday, November 13, at 7PM for an open, nonpartisan discussion on free speech in higher education. The event brought together students from across the political spectrum to grapple with one of the most pressing and contentious issues facing college campuses today. Participants engaged in thoughtful conversation about the boundaries of free expression, the balance between protecting speech and maintaining inclusive environments, and the challenges of navigating controversial topics in academic settings. The discussion explored practical strategies for fostering genuine dialogue across political differences on campus, examining how students with divergent perspectives can engage constructively rather than retreating into ideological echo chambers.
On Wednesday, October 8th, Dr. Christopher Coome moderated a discussion on civil discourse in Sanford 007. The two-hour evening session explored the meaning of civil discourse, its significance in contemporary society, and its potential future evolution. Attendees engaged with fundamental questions about how we communicate across differences and the role respectful dialogue plays in democratic life.
A discussion on institutional neutrality: what should Duke’s positon be? With distinguished faculty members Abdullah Antepli (Divinity School and Sanford School of Public Policy, Director of Duke’s Civil Discourse Project), moderator Kathleen Donohue (Biology), Tim Kuran (Economics and Political Science), Eric Mlyn (Kenan Institute for Ethics and Sanford School), and David Malone (Program in Education, Trinity).
Polis’ Civil Discourse Project and Lemur Magazine were joined by members of the Duke Democrats and Duke College Republicans to discuss the results of the 2024 Presidential Election, as well as voter turnout, implications for American politics and what this means for both parties moving forward.