The Institute for Liberal Studies hosts a variety of seminars, lectures, and conferences.  If you would like to be notified about upcoming events please subscribe to our email newsletter. Click on the links below to learn more about each event!

Campus Lectures

The Institute for Liberal Studies puts on campus lectures, panels, and debates at campuses across Canada throughout the school year. Last year we visited 15 campuses in seven provinces which were attended by over 1,500 students. These events are free of charge and open to everyone, unless otherwise specified. We cover a broad range of subjects in various disciplines such as philosophy, political science, economics, law, and history in order to encourage discussion about the foundations of a free society and the classical liberal tradition. These lectures are often co-hosted by campus groups or university departments. If you would like to partner with the ILS on a talk at your campus, please contact us.

Freedom Week

Freedom Week is a five-day intellectual adventure that gives participants a chance to explore the ideas of liberty. By taking part in Freedom Week you will have an opportunity to learn more about classical liberal ideas in areas like philosophy, politics, economics, law, and public policy from a faculty of distinguished professors. Each summer we host two Freedom Week seminars and provide diverse groups of students the opportunity to talk about important ideas in formal lectures and informal discussion groups. Freedom Week seminars are provided free of charge, including meals and accommodations, but students are responsible for their own travel. A typical day at Freedom Week will include four lectures, a discussion group, an afternoon break, and debate and conversation over meals and an evening social.

Socratic Seminars

ILS Socratic Seminars provide a chance for small groups of students to spend a weekend in discussion, led by a professor with expertise in the subject. These seminars allow a group of about 15 to devote an extended period of time to intensive conversation based on a set of assigned readings. Informal discussion often takes place during breaks, meals, and evening socials. These seminars are based on the idea that people learn best when they are active participants in a discussion among peers. Participation is by invitation only. Students are joined by a professor who guides the conversation, but allows students to shape the discussion. Discussion is grounded in a set of readings that are provided about one month prior to the seminar.

Séminaire d’études libérales

Le séminaire d’études libérales a lieu depuis plusieurs années sur les campus de Montréal et réunit des étudiants passionnés par les politiques publiques. Le séminaire se déroule sur une journée et comprend quatre conférences sur divers thèmes et des moments d’échanges entre les étudiants. La journée se termine avec un 5 à 7 entre les étudiants présents et les professeurs. Pour s’y préparer les étudiants reçoivent une liste de lecture environ un mois avant. [Détails à venir pour l’édition 2020]