In this episode, Yale College Dean Pericles Lewis explores the intricate relationship between democracy and higher education in America . Political Science Professor Bryan Garsten and students Enza Jonas Giugni ’25 and Devon Rall-Taguchi ’25 comment on critical American figures and speeches such as Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. The group discusses how pivotal moments in US history have shaped our understanding of citizenship and the role of universities. But in an era of growing skepticism towards expertise and higher education, how can institutions like Yale continue to serve democracy? This episode aims to challenge your assumptions about the purpose of a college education and its place in our democratic society. Join this timely discussion on the future of higher learning in America.

In this thought-provoking episode, host Pericles Lewis challenges us all to reconsider what it means to educate citizens for democracy in the 21st century. Joined by Professor Bryan Garsten and students Enza Jonas Giugni ’25 and Devon Rall-Taguchi ‘25, the discussion explores how ideas from ancient Athens continue to shape our understanding of citizenship and liberal education today. With lively insights touching on everything from Plato’s “noble lie” to current college admissions controversies, this episode prompts us to contemplate topics such as meritocracy, equality, and the gap between democratic ideals and realities. Tune in for a journey through time that may change how you view your own role as a citizen and learner.

Higher education can have a profound impact on how students resist unjust actions. The episode investigates the intersection of education and civil disobedience, highlighting Thoreau’s emphasis on individual self-reliance and Gandhi’s focus on collective resistance. Student interviews reveal how higher education communities bring students together and influence collective action. Dean Pericles Lewis is joined by Yale students EJ Jarvis ’23 and Charlotte Berney ’25.

What is the role of community in college education? In this episode, Yale students discuss their engagement in the Yale community and how it has influenced their education and personal growth. The episode also explores the perspectives of philosophers like John Dewey, Plato, and concepts from the Bhagavad Gita, emphasizing the importance of duty, discipline, and action within a community. Dean Pericles Lewis is joined by Yale students EJ Jarvis ’23 and Charlotte Berney ’25.

Conversation and debate on campus can lead to controversy. This episode analyzes political scientist Keith Whittington’s writings on free expression and academic freedom as they apply to college experiences today. Dean Pericles Lewis is joined by Yale students Claire Michalik ’25 and Zadie Winthrop ’26.

Higher education involves engaging in conversation, both specific discussions about course material and broader conversations about the search for knowledge and shared understanding. The importance of conversation in achieving knowledge is explored through Plato’s Allegory of the Cave and John Stuart Mill’s On Liberty. Dean Pericles Lewis is joined by Yale students Claire Michalik ’25 and Zadie Winthrop ’26.

College is a crucial institution in which our society works through its expectations for young people. This podcast explores some of the purposes that have been ascribed to college, including conversation with others on intellectual matters, development of personal character, participation in a community, and preparation for citizenship. There are countless purposes ranging from the practical to the personal, including career preparation and pursuit of knowledge for its own sake. The episodes will be released in couplets for each purpose, pairing the historic with the contemporary to trace the lineage of the theme throughout the centuries . Ideally, listeners will reflect on their educational experiences and consider ways that college can meet the needs of future generations.

This podcast will launch on May 5th on all podcast platforms.