IBelieve@ic.edu
"Let us dare to read, speak, think, and write. . . ."
--John Adams
IBelieve@ic.edu: Project Overview
During discussions of the First Amendment's freedom of expression in
our Civil Liberties class we explored a number of the essays included in
the "This I Believe" project featured weekly on National Public Radio
(NPR). We found many of these essays to be interesting, provocative,
challenging, humbling. What beliefs, we wondered, might we discuss
if we participated in NPR's project? Our discussion further led us to
consider how we might engage the entire campus in this project.
Towards
this end, then, we invite all members of the Illinois College community
(students, staff,
faculty, administration, alumni, trustees, and friends of the College) to
submit a "This I Believe" essay (about 350-500 words) to us. We propose
to compile the best of
these essays in a form that will allow us to share them across campus by
the end of the semester. We further anticipate sponsoring a college-wide
convocation that will allow (willing) authors to read aloud their
statements. At the conclusion of our project (and with the authors'
consent) we will submit our statements to NPR. The two links below
provide more information about the "This I Believe" project and helpful
hints for writing your essay.
National
Public Radio (NPR)
Check here for general information about
the
"This I Believe" Project.
Read or listen to
essays featured on the series.
Tips for Writing
Your
Essay
Check here for ideas to get started.
This I Believe: Background and Context
The NPR-featured series, "This I Believe," has its roots in the
1950s radio program hosted by Edward R. Murrow. That show featured a wide
range of Americans who shared their individual beliefs on all manner of
topics with the listening audience. Rich, poor, young, old, famous, and
unknown--all found a place to state their personal philosophies on
Murrow's
show. These statements inspired and moved people to listen to one another
and to find common ground when so much else conspired to divide the
nation.
Some months ago, NPR invited the nation to that common meeting place again
when it revived the series. Each Monday (on its news programs, The
Morning Edition and All Things Considered), NPR features
another individual who steps forward to state in her own words and
in her
own voice, "This I Believe. . . ."
The
Original Invitation from "This I Believe"
Some of Our Favorite Essays
-
The
Bright Lights of Freedom, by Harold Hongju Koh, Dean, Yale Law School
-
The Kindness of Strangers, by Daniel Ferri, Teacher and
Father
-
A
Public Man Must Live in the Present, Harry Truman, President
(1945-1953)
-
Always
Go to the Funeral, by Deirdre Sullivan, Attorney
-
The
America I Believe In, by Gen. Colin Powell, Former Secretary of State
(2001-2005)
-
Browse
Other Essays Old and New
Important details
- Who can participate? We encourage all members of our
community
to
write
and submit an essay. We hope to include essays from students, faculty,
alumni, staff, trustees, and administrators.
-
What is the deadline to submit an essay? Wednesday, April 9,
2008
- How do I submit an essay? Electronic copies are preferred and
may be submitted as an attachment. Please use the link below.
Hard copies may be submitted to Prof. Karen Dean.
Contact Us
IBelieve@ic.edu
Submit an Essay or
Contact Us Here
Who Are We?
Viktoriya. Alzhanova, Kevin Clark, Katherine Connelly, Nicholas Ehrgott, Jason Haynes, Vanessa Jerome, Stephen McGrady, Charles Michels, Heather Miller, Marjorie Nehring, Julie Norman, Kimberly Peek, James Rosentreter, Kaitlin Salisbury, Collin Van Meter and Karen Dean.