Civil Discourse
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Israeli ambassador to U.S., former Palestinian Authority prime minister visit Vanderbilt classroom
Former Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad and Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Herzog joined Professor Brett Benson’s Introduction to International Politics class last week, with Fayyad on Wednesday, March 27, and Herzog on Thursday, March 28. “I think this is the only university in the country that can host Salam Fayyad one day and the Israeli ambassador the next,” Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State told students, as she led the conversation with Ambassador Herzog. Read MoreApr 1, 2024
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Education journalist to discuss partisan politics’ increasing influence on public schools April 9
National education reporter Laura Pappano will discuss her latest book, School Moms: Parent Activism, Partisan Politics, and the Battle for Public Education (Beacon Press, 2024), at the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries on Tuesday, April 9. In her book, Pappano draws on archival research as well as on-the-ground reporting to offer a nuanced view of how schools across the country have become lightning rods in the culture wars. Read MoreMar 22, 2024
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Save the Date: Impact Symposium
The student-led Impact Symposium was established 60 years ago to bring leaders and intellectuals from around the world to Vanderbilt University to encourage discussion on current issues affecting our world. Plan to join this year’s anniversary celebration on Thursday, March 21, and Tuesday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. in Langford Auditorium. Read MoreMar 7, 2024
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Dialogue Vanderbilt and the Unity Project host Ukrainian ambassador on March 19
A conversation between Oksana Markarova, Ukrainian ambassador to the United States, and Morgan Ortagus, former spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, will be Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m. CT at the John Seigenthaler Center. Markarova’s participation will provide attendees with an invaluable opportunity to learn about Ukraine’s challenges and geopolitical stance. Read MoreMar 7, 2024
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Vanderbilt College Republicans and College Democrats bridge the partisan divide for a Dialogue Vanderbilt-sponsored debate on gun control
Although gun control is a topic at the forefront of the national conversation, it’s rare to see a structured debate on gun policy reform between those on opposing sides of the issue. On Feb. 28, the Advocacy, Dialogue, and Debate Lab for Civil Discourse Education and Vanderbilt Political Review hosted a debate on gun control policy between Vanderbilt College Republicans and College Democrats on gun control policy. It was the first time in several years that the two organizations held a formal debate. The event was sponsored by Dialogue Vanderbilt. Read MoreMar 4, 2024
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Pride in the Pews: In Conversation with Don Abram on Mar. 6
Don Abram, the visionary founder of Pride in the Pews, will be the next speaker in the Dialogue Vanderbilt faith leader series. His conversation with Vanderbilt Divinity School Dean Yolanda Pierce is scheduled for 5 p.m. March 6 at the John Seigenthaler Center. Read MoreFeb 22, 2024
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Bridging the Political Divide: Bipartisan debate on gun control to take place Feb. 28
As a follow-up to the successful and illuminating Agnon Dialogues discussion on gun restrictions, Vanderbilt Debate lab is partnering with Vanderbilt Political Review, College Republicans and College Democrats to host a debate on gun control policy Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. Read MoreFeb 21, 2024
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Hananeel Morinville, BA’25, selected for highly competitive leadership program
Morinville, a history major in the College of Arts and Science, was named to the next class of the John Robert Lewis Scholars & Fellows Program for 2024-2025. Selected through a highly competitive process, the scholars and fellows represent a wide range of backgrounds, ideologies and faiths, creating an environment that fosters open dialogue, empathy and understanding. The program is run by the Faith and Politics Institute. Read MoreFeb 19, 2024
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Applebaum, Meacham to discuss rise of autocracy in ‘Open Dialogue’ event
Pulitzer Prize–winning author and propaganda expert Anne Applebaum will visit Vanderbilt on March 5 for a discussion of the rise of autocracy in today’s geopolitical climate. Read MoreFeb 16, 2024
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“Defending Our Democracy,” Liz Cheney discussed the future of her party and the fate of our country
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney joined Pulitzer Prize–winning author and professor Jon Meacham, co-chair of the Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, to speak about the future of U.S. democracy at the inaugural event for the Carolyn T. and Robert M. Rogers Center for the American Presidency. Read MoreFeb 12, 2024
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Dialogue Vanderbilt Public Debate Series unveils lineup with U.S. Air Force Academy and weekend tournament
The Dialogue Vanderbilt Public Debate Series is scheduled to kick off with a public debate on Friday, Feb. 2, at 6 p.m. The debate tournament will follow on Saturday and Sunday. Read MoreJan 29, 2024
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Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier joins the Institute for Citizens & Scholars initiative, College Presidents for Civic Preparedness
Chancellor Daniel Diermeier has joined a group of university presidents leading diverse institutions from across the country in a new initiative to address civic engagement and promote civil discourse on college campuses and beyond. The College Presidents for Civic Preparedness, a new initiative convened by The Institute for Citizens and Scholars, aims to leverage collective wisdom and collaborative strategies to cultivate a new generation of empowered, democratic-minded citizens. Read MoreJan 25, 2024
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Vanderbilt Debate team embarks on a global challenge: World Universities Debating Championship in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
The tournament, scheduled for Dec. 26 to Jan. 5, is recognized as the largest college debate competition in the world, attracting more than 400 teams from educational institutions across the globe. This is the third time Vanderbilt Debate will participate in face-to-face debates at the WUDC, having previously represented the university in 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, and in 2022 in Madrid, Spain. The team’s participation underscores Vanderbilt’s commitment to fostering intellectual rigor and global engagement through the art of debate. Read MoreDec 21, 2023
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Robert Talisse wins Open Inquiry Award for Exceptional Scholarship from Heterodox Academy
Robert Talisse’s Open Inquiry Award recognizes his work on effective argumentation—an increasingly relevant topic for today’s polarized campuses and public squares. His work provides astute observations about the current climate and offers invaluable solutions to decrease polarization and improve constructive discourse. Read MoreSep 21, 2023
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Vanderbilt’s Open Dialogue Visiting Fellows program to bring diverse views, teach about how to engage in civil debate
The program is designed to host a cohort of thought leaders with competing and sometimes conflicting views on policy issues and social problems. These visitors will engage with students, faculty, the public and each other to model reasoned, evidence-based civil debate. The first public event sponsored by the program will be on Sept. 18 at 4 p.m. Read MoreSep 6, 2023
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Dialogue Vanderbilt will advance civil discourse, bolster commitment to free expression
In a reaffirmation of its commitment to free expression, Vanderbilt University today launched Dialogue Vanderbilt. The initiative aims to provide a range of programs to students, faculty and the broader community to promote civil discourse and better understand and address political polarization. Read MoreAug 23, 2023
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V150: Teaching Across the Divide
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity and American Democracy, including an undergraduate course, encourages civil discourse during a time of deep polarization. Read MoreJul 5, 2023
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John Geer appointed to senior advisor role in Office of the Chancellor
John G. Geer, a distinguished political scientist, a dedicated teacher and a longtime administrative and academic strategy leader at Vanderbilt University, will take on a new role in the Office of the Chancellor. Geer has been named a senior advisor to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier on key strategic initiatives that promote democracy, free expression and open dialogue—all flagship priorities for the university. Read MoreApr 14, 2023
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What’s On My Mind: Honoring the lessons that John McCain taught us
Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos remembers Senator John McCain and how he modeled civil discourse through his service to our country in this week's edition of his column. Read MoreAug 31, 2018
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Chancellor suggests top 5 ways new graduates can use their education for good
Acknowledging that their Vanderbilt degrees will grant 2018 graduates a wide range of options, Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos offered up five specific ways to use their education for good. Read MoreMay 11, 2018