Exploring Liberty

• Overview
• A Typical Day
• Location
• Faculty
• Readings

Breakfast – Enjoy a hearty breakfast with other students and faculty members before heading off to the first lecture. Chat about your plans for the afternoon free time.

The Trading Game
Participate in an auction designed to demonstrate how markets work. Bargain and make trades just as if you were a participant in a real commodity or stock market. Afterwards Antony Davies, a professor of economics at Duquesne University, discusses how you and your classmates did - and explains how your experiment relates to events in real world markets.

Coffee Break – enjoy refreshments & pastries

The American Revolution
Rob McDonald, a history professor at West Point, explains the political philosophy that drove Americans to break with Great Britain and form a republic.  Professor McDonald investigates both the contradictions in the Founders' position - such as the denial of rights to enslaved persons, and to women - and their great achievements.  He explains how we can use the positive legacy of Revolution in light of today's challenges.

Lunch – Draw on the expertise of faculty and fellow students about ideas, careers, and more.

Free Time – Take a nap, go shopping in the stores around campus, hang out with other students on the lawn, play some soccer or ultimate Frisbee.*

Free Your Mind 

Sure, you've read George Orwell's "1984" and Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World". But Amy Sturgis challenges everyone to think about the rich history and deeper symbolism of dystopic literature.What do series like Joss Whedon's "Firefly" or shorts like "Epic 2015" say about free will? Individualism? The role of the government?

Dinner – chat with Amy about her newest book, a biography of one of the most important Native American leaders in history, the Shawnee leader Tecumseh.

Values & the Free Society 
Engage in a discussion with professor Howie Baetjer and other seminar participants about the values that are important in a free society. Think about how we can live peacefully in a complex society in which people have many different interests.

Discussion Groups
Join a faculty-led small group discussion over the topics of the sessions earlier in the day, issues raised during the seminars, or anything else you want to mull over!

Evening Social 
Sit outside on the steps enjoying a drink and friendly debate with other students. Enjoy free refreshments, snacks, and great conversation with both faculty and students late into the night.

*Tuesday afternoon and evening are free for participants to visit friends nearby or explore New Haven.

Location »