R: Marriage is broken

Thursday, December 1st beginning at 7:30 pm

In our final debate of the semester, we will consider the state of marriage in the United States and how it is evolving. Are the divergence in marriage outcomes by class yet another manifestation of rising inequality in this country? What truly matters when choosing a spouse? How are interracial and, increasingly, international marriages changing our society and understanding of marriage? Join us for what promises to be a fascinating debate. 

R: Greatness is above the law

Friday, November 18th beginning at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room

Has a two-tiered legal system become entrenched in our country that improperly shields political and financial elites from justice? Are there any circmustances (such as limited parliamentary immunity) when such deference is ever justified?

"America's Spiritual Capital"

Join the Federalist Party next Monday (11/14) for a talk by Dr. Ted Malloch of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture  on America's Spiritual Capital. The talk will take place at 4pm in LC 206.

R: Lead from behind

Thursday, November 10th beginning at 7:30 pm in the Berkeley Mendenhall Room

Join us for a referendum on President Obama's foreign policy. This resolution asks us to consider broadly the wisdom and success of our president's intentions and actions. The title of the resolution comes from a May article in the New Yorker which characterized the Obama administration's approach to foreign affairs as one of humble strength - explained as the natural response to American relative decline, high levels of distrust in many corners of the world, and current fiscal and military constraints. Is this more nuanced conception of leadership the future of American foreign policy? Speeches will range from general critiques of the President's aims to analysis of his reaction to specific events.

R: Art is faster than the speed of science

Thursday, November 3rd beginning at 7:30 pm in the Morse Gallery

What is the true relationship between Art and Science, and how should this be realized in our world? The debate is fundamentally one about the nature of human progress: to what extent does each discipline advance our understanding of human potential and our journey towards Truth? Is the scientist nothing without the artist? Does the artist first shine the light towards new realms of human possibility and does the scientist only then direct her work towards it? In other instances, is it not science that actually leads art by posing new ethical questions for art to resolve? The awe and terror-inspiring advances that science has introduced, such as cloning or nuclear weapons continually reopen fundamental questions about life. This polyvalent topic will open the floor to discussions of many aspects of the complex interplay of Art and Science.