Today, the notion of free speech is challenged on many college campuses by both students and faculty alike. Holly Williams, HxA Member and Communication Studies instructor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, worked with department faculty and the National Communication Association to coordinate a free speech conference titled “Finding Expression in Contested Public Spaces.” This series of activities was created as part of the conference experience to encourage students to consider the impact artistic expression has on free speech.

Instructors can use this series to allow students to explore visual art, poetry, banned books, and music by exposing them to the works deemed controversial, providing them with discussion questions, and then promoting further reflection through a post-discussion or out of class activity.