Colloquium on Uncivil Discourse

Uncivil Discourse: Roots and Responses

A Colloquium co-sponsored by the Ciceronian Society
and the Fran Park Center

January 23-24, 2027

Scottsdale, AZ

Fellowship Hall at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church

Many decry the current state of public discourse in contemporary American culture. Incivility and intolerance in politics, the academy, and civil society more broadly seem to be ascendent. This program will explore some of the reasons for the growth in public incivility and a corresponding decline in civility.  We’ll also begin to address ways to respond as citizens and Christians.

Colloquium speakers
keynote speaker
schedule
registration
travel info
q&a
CONTACT

Colloquium Speakers

Elizabeth Corey

Professor of Political Science in the Honors Program, Baylor University

Eric Gregory

Professor of Religion, Princeton University

Rachel Ferguson

Director of the Center for Free Enterprise, Assistant Dean of the College of Business, and Professor of Business Ethics, Concordia University Chicago

John Wilsey

Professor of Church History and Chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Jeff Polet

Director of the Ford Leadership Forum at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation

Joshua Bowman

Executive Director, The Ciceronian Society

Pinnacle Presbyterian Church Endowed Lecture

Carl R. Trueman

Professor of Biblical & Theological Studies, Grove City College

Schedule

*Scottsdale is on Mountain Standard Time (GMT-7)

Saturday, January 23, 2027

  • 9am – 11am – Panel 1
  • 11am – 1pm – Lunch
  • 1pm – 3pm – Panel 2

Sunday, January 24, 2027

  • 11am – Lunch
  • 11:45am – Lecture with Q&A

Registration

Free, but all attendees must register beforehand.

*Registration is not yet open. Please return later in 2026*

Register (come back soon)

Refreshments and a catered lunch will be provided

Travel Information

Airport

Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX)

Hotel and Lodging

Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson
7965 E. Cavasson Boulevard
Scottsdale, Arizona, 85255

  • There is no hotel block or special rate reserved at this time (but that could change) , and there are no hotels within walking distance of the venue. Guests are advised to rent a car or use rideshare to get between the hotel of their choice and the conference. The Hilton North Scottsdale at Cavasson is recommended, and we do advise booking travel arrangements early for both hotels and rental cars.

Q&A

  • Will sessions be livestreamed or recorded?
    • There are no current plans in place to record or livestream the event. We are, however, exploring opportunities to publish final drafts of all the talks.
  • Do you need to be a Ciceronian Society member or a member of Pinnacle Presbyterian Church to attend?
    • No. All sessions are free and open to the public. But all attendees must register prior to the event.
  • What is the Ciceronian Society?
    • The Ciceronian Society is an interdisciplinary learned society that equips and encourages Christian scholars as they serve the church. Click here to learn more about who we are.
  • What do people wear to events like this?
    • Scottsdale, AZ in late January typically enjoys mild temps and dry weather, with highs in the upper 60s and lows in the upper 40s or 50s.
    • Comfortable, business casual makes the most sense.
  • Will there be additional opportunities for sponsorship?
    • No. Unlike other Ciceronian Society events, this Colloquium is solely sponsored by the Ciceronian Society and the Fran Park Center.

Contact

For questions contact Josh Bowman at info@ciceroniansociety.org or by phone at (734) 265-0149.

When calling, please note that the Ciceronian Society is based in the Eastern Time Zone.

Updated 12 August 2026