Is freedom of speech a necessity in order to have a healthy democracy?
Oakland University President Ora Pescovitz and Professor Dave Dulio, the director of the Center for Civic Engagement, invite students to answer this question in OU’s “Freedom of Speech” contest. This contest will allow students to use their critical thinking skills to parse out the ethical considerations regarding freedom of speech rights. The winner of the mixed-media contest will earn $2,000.
Earlier this year, Dulio and President Pescovitz met with local state representative, Donni Steele. During the meeting, the three brainstormed the idea for the contest.
“She thought it was a good idea — President Pescovitz, that is — she called me and talked to me about it and asked me to get it up and running,” Dulio said. “I was very pleased to do so.”
The contest’s question seems simple, however, as our society’s levels of political and affective polarization reach all-time highs, the intricacies of freedom of speech rights ought to be considered.
A question like this for students can help expand their knowledge of politics, the government and the influence speech has on others in society.
“It is a wonderful example of how meetings and conversations about one thing can lead to something else, which I think is terrific,” Dulio said.
College campuses are the best place to have conversations about politics and ethics. Students are provided a forum to voice their opinions and share what they think with others.
“It’s a great opportunity for students to earn a little extra cash and not even a little, I mean $2,000 is nothing to sneeze at, that’s for sure,” Dulio said.
All across the country, many schools have had contests like this but other institutions typically only accept written essays. OU has provided the option for students to do something different.
“However, freedom of expression, what the first amendment is about – isn’t limited to just writing,” Dulio continued, “So we thought, let’s open it up to other forms of submissions.”
Only one submission is allowed per full-time student.
Applicants may choose to submit one type of media. Possible contest submissions include a 1,000-word maximum essay, a 5-minute maximum video, a poem, a 5-minute maximum audio recording, or a visual art display, such as a drawing.
Students interested in entering the contest can do so through the Google Form located here. Submissions are due by April 1st.