Wisdom comes from opening one’s mind to new ideas and questioning convention.
Freedom of expression is therefore central to Colgate’s academic mission. With empathy and intellectual curiosity, the Colgate community engages in lively debate and discourse. Its members bring diversity of thought and background into classroom conversations and dining hall discussions — classmates, colleagues, and special guests both exchange and challenge perspectives.
Much like the lifelong learning that it inspires, Colgate’s commitment to freedom of expression is active and ongoing. Working groups and task forces continue to expand its spirit on campus.
Coursework
Debate and discourse are prominent features of Colgate’s curriculum. These conversations illuminate topics across disciplines and help to educate a new generation of empathetic, wise leaders. Example courses include:
- Environmental Ethics
- Environmental Justice
- The Rhetoric of Comics
- America as a Democracy
- Theories of Democracy
- Identity Politics
- American Elections and Party Power
- Religion and Politics
- Beneath the Black Robes: Courts as Political Institutions
- Freedom and Authority in Modern Political Philosophy
- Lampert Scholars Seminar on Policy Analysis
- Visual Rhetorics
