Symposium to examine complexities of free speech, impact of hateful speech

1:02 p.m., April 22, 2015--Registrations are still being accepted for the University of Delaware's special half-day symposium that will explore the complexities of free speech, the hurtful impact of hate speech and the ways to balance privilege with the rights of others.

The free symposium is scheduled from 8:15 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, April 27, in Clayton Hall on the Laird Campus. Light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

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June 6-9: Food and culture series

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• Through Sept. 16: Women of color in academia

The symposium is open to members of the UD community and the general public. Space is limited, and advance registration is required. To register, visit www.udel.edu/002518.

Guest speakers will include Flora Devine, university counsel and special assistant to the president for legal affairs at Kennesaw State University, and Mark Rahdert, professor of law at the Temple University's Beasley School of Law. 

Also speaking will be the team from UD's Office of the General Counsel -- Larry White, vice president and general counsel; Laure Ergin, associate vice president and deputy general counsel; and Jen Becnel-Guzzo, associate general counsel -- as well as Ralph Begleiter, Edward and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Communication and director of the Center for Political Communication; and Jennifer Lambe, associate professor of communication. 

The symposium will include presentations on "The Effects of Hate Speech on the Targeted Individual," "Can Hate Speech Be Regulated?" and "Hate Speech in Social Media: Special Legal, Ethical and Practical Problems."

In addition, those attending will participate in working groups to evaluate specific case studies taken from popular culture, with each group reporting out its findings. 

For a PDF of the symposium flyer, click here. 

The symposium is sponsored by the vice provost for diversity. For more information, write to vpd@udel.edu.