Resources

Heterodox Academy

Classroom Activities Moral Psychology Field work assignment
Western Michigan University is a member of the Heterodox Academy (HxA), which provides frameworks, data, tools, and platforms to help people understand and address the challenges facing institutions of higher learning regarding open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and constructive disagreement. Members and other supporters of HxA--the actual agents of change--are encouraged to use these materials by acting in their communities, classrooms, institutions, and disciplines.
 

We Talk program videos

  • Russia-Ukraine Conflict: A Campus Conversation
    Tuesday, March 1, 2022
    Hosted by the Western Student Association in collaboration with We Talk and the WMU Department of Political Science, this event brought together our campus community to discuss the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and ask questions of experts. 
  • The Realities of Free Speech
    Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020
    Jessica Swartz, WMU deputy general counsel, provides a basic introduction to free speech rights and responsibilities covered by the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Swartz explains the different types of speech, how the government (i.e., the University) is allowed to regulate that speech, how to exercise free speech on campus, as well as the types of speech that are not protected and why. Viewers will gain an understanding of why we must protect the free speech rights of everyone—even if every fiber in our being disagrees with what they are saying. 
  • Thursday, Oct. 1, 2020
    In collaboration with the Western Student Association, alumni and other WMU registered student organizations, this student-led panel explored advocacy through WMU’s history, particularly the 1968 student sit in at the Bernhard Center related to racial inequity and unrest and the 1990 student sit in at the Seibert Administration Building related to the suspension of the Africana Studies program. How have student groups and WSA worked together to affect institutional change? Find out in this virtual panel discussion between past and current Broncos.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2020
    Hosted by WMU staff and featuring a WMU faculty panel, this final event of the fall 2020 series explored why it's worth having conversations with people you disagree with and practice tips to engage in open conversations about difficult topics. 

Printable resources

First Amendment on Campus